The Nigerian Senate has expressed its frustration over the country’s failure to conduct a population census in the past 19 years, calling it a source of embarrassment on the global stage.
The lawmakers have directed the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure that a nationwide census is held this year.
This announcement came during the 2025 budget defence session, where the NPC chairman, Nasir Kwarra, revealed that the biometric model for the headcount is currently being developed.
The absence of credible demographic data has been a long-standing issue, hindering proper planning and development in the country.
The lack of reliable population statistics has also put Nigeria at a disadvantage internationally, as other nations prioritise accurate data for informed decision-making and strategic planning.
During the budget discussions with the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), lawmakers expressed deep concern over the absence of concrete data on the nation’s population.
Senator Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central) was the first to voice his dismay, stating, “I feel very bad that we are still living on estimated population figures. I also feel bad that we are still postulating and relying on data supplied by foreign bodies, which is more or less demeaning us among the committee of nations. We want to know our population. Nigeria should be counted this year.”
Senator Olalere Oyewumi (PDP Osun West), the Deputy Minority Leader, echoed this sentiment and urged the NPC to ensure all preparations are made for the census to take place within the year.
He also warned against the delays that marred the process during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that pushing the census into 2026, close to the 2027 general elections, would be too risky.
“The 2025 budget of NPC should revolve around population census, which must be done this year because the demographic characteristics of the population figures being bandied about the country now are not known,” Senator Oyewumi stated.
“The NPC should get its act together for the President to make a proclamation on the population census, which in itself will facilitate provisions for the desired money.”
Senator Ningi further emphasised the committee’s commitment to engaging with President Bola Tinubu through the Senate President to push for the census this year.
NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra confirmed that President Tinubu is fully supportive of the census initiative, but with a condition: the headcount must be conducted using a biometric system to ensure accuracy and eliminate fraudulent claims.
“The President has tasked us with ensuring that all devices and facilities are in place for a biometric exercise, where there will be no room for inaccuracies such as counting fishes in riverine areas or cows in the North,” Kwarra explained.
In his budget presentation, Kwarra outlined that the NPC had proposed a total of N18.2 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, with N1.17 billion allocated for overhead costs and N17.7 billion for capital expenditure.
