Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for the urgent conduct of a national population census, citing the exercise as a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday during a visit by the National Population Commission (NPC) to his office, Akpabio underscored the pressing need for accurate demographic data, describing the prolonged reliance on outdated statistics as a hindrance to effective national planning.
“It is not just a national embarrassment; it is a significant obstacle to our progress,” Akpabio remarked, lamenting the inconsistency in Nigeria’s population estimates. He highlighted the confusion caused by varying figures that range from 220 million to over 300 million, a discrepancy that has persisted in international discussions and national deliberations.
“Sometimes you will go to some places, and they will say 250 million Nigerians. At another place, they will say you people are over 270 million. Some African countries think we are over 300 million. If you go to places where they are holding retreats now, they are shrinking the number from 250 million to 220 million. I think it’s time to bring that confusion to an end,” he said.
Nigeria’s Last Census: A Two-Decade Gap
The last official population census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago. Akpabio described the delay as unacceptable for a nation striving for economic growth and stability. He stressed that reliable population data is foundational for informed policy-making, economic planning, and addressing key national issues such as food security, education, and infrastructure.
“Any country that fails to know its population has already started to fail in its planning. You cannot truly plan for the future if you don’t know the number of mouths you want to feed or the number of children that you want to put in schools,” he emphasized.
The Senate President pledged unwavering support from the National Assembly to the NPC in ensuring the successful execution of the next census, recognizing it as a priority for national development.
“The National Assembly will support you to succeed. I have no doubt, with the calibre of men and women that I have seen here, that the task that Mr. President has given to you, once the proclamation is done, you will rise to the occasion. And I know that the National Assembly, the Senate in particular, will stand by you all the way,” Akpabio said.
NPC Reiterates Readiness
Leading the NPC delegation, Chairman Nasir Kwarra assured the Senate President of the commission’s readiness to conduct a comprehensive and credible census. He described the exercise as an opportunity to provide Nigeria with accurate demographic data that will drive planning, policy formulation, and development tracking.
“We cannot conduct this census without your support. We want to make Nigerians proud by conducting a very thorough census that will yield a lot of data to assist in planning, policy formulation, and tracking our development,” Kwarra stated.
Kwarra expressed gratitude for the Senate’s support and highlighted the commission’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of accuracy and transparency in the exercise.
Census as a Catalyst for Development
The need for a population census in Nigeria has been a topic of national discourse for years, with many stakeholders pointing to the challenges posed by unreliable data. Accurate population figures are critical for equitable resource allocation, strategic urban planning, and effective governance.
Akpabio’s call for action reflects a broader recognition of the importance of demographic data in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges. The planned census, expected to begin upon presidential approval, is anticipated to set a new benchmark for development planning in the country.
As the nation awaits the proclamation for the census, both the government and stakeholders are optimistic that this long-overdue exercise will provide the clarity needed to drive Nigeria’s future growth.
