Nigeria Gears Up for First Digital Census Since 2006: President Tinubu to Establish Review Committee


By Insight by Oppy
February 24, 2025

Nigeria is making significant strides toward conducting its first national population and housing census in nearly two decades. In a pivotal move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to establish a committee that will oversee the budget and logistics for the upcoming census, ensuring it aligns with the nation’s current economic realities. This development marks a crucial step in modernizing Nigeria’s data collection processes, with a focus on integrating biometric and digital technologies.

A Long-Overdue Census
The last national census was held in November 2006, making the data outdated for effective governance and planning. With Nigeria’s population estimated to exceed 200 million, the absence of recent and accurate demographic data has hindered strategic development in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and social welfare.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of the census in nation-building, stating, “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can't successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty. So many problems come up without accurate data.”

Biometric and Digital Integration
In a bid to ensure the credibility and accuracy of the upcoming census, the President stressed the need for biometric capturing, including facial and voice recognition features. He highlighted that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must play an integral role in the process, promoting synergy between existing national databases.

President Tinubu also expressed a desire for a sustainable funding strategy, noting, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census.” This approach underscores the government’s commitment to self-sufficiency before seeking external support.

Challenges and Financial Constraints
Funding remains a significant hurdle. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, acknowledged that financial limitations have stalled previous census efforts. He revealed that during the 2006 census, about 40% of the funding came from development partners. This time, however, there’s an emphasis on the government shouldering a larger portion of the cost.

Bagudu highlighted the collaborative efforts underway, mentioning ongoing "ecosystem meetings" that bring together identity management agencies, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and other key stakeholders to optimize existing data and streamline the census process.

Readiness and Resources
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, provided an update on the commission’s preparedness. He disclosed that 760,000 tablets, essential for the digital census, have already been procured and stored securely at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Kwarra assured that the NPC is ready to engage development partners for additional support once President Tinubu formally proclaims the census.

Why This Census Matters
Accurate population data is the cornerstone of effective governance. It influences everything from resource allocation and infrastructure planning to electoral boundaries and social welfare programs. President Tinubu pointed out that with reliable data, government incentives like the distribution of fertilizers to farmers could be more effectively targeted.

Moreover, integrating biometric features into the census process will help address issues of identity duplication and data inconsistency, paving the way for more efficient social security systems and national planning.

The Road Ahead
With the establishment of the proposed committee, Nigeria is closer than ever to conducting a long-overdue and much-needed national census. However, challenges around funding, logistics, and data integrity remain. The success of this endeavor will not only provide an accurate picture of Nigeria’s population but also lay the groundwork for improved governance and socioeconomic development.

As Nigeria prepares for this monumental task, all eyes will be on how the government navigates the financial, technological, and logistical challenges to deliver a credible and transparent census in the digital age.


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