By Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has confirmed that a special committee has been set up to find funding options for Nigeria’s upcoming population and housing census. The Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu last week, will serve as a technical advisory group focused on planning and resourcing the massive national exercise.
Speaking at the committee’s first meeting in Abuja, Bagudu said the group is distinct from the National Population Commission (NPC), which is legally responsible for organizing and conducting the census. “This committee is an ad hoc advisory body created to provide targeted guidance on specific areas,” he stated. The team will recommend funding strategies, support planning, and set a realistic timeline for the census rollout.
The committee includes key government officials such as the chairman of the NPC, Nasir Kwarra, who serves as secretary; Finance Minister Olawale Edun; Information Minister Mohammed Idris; and other top executives from agencies like FIRS, NIMC, and the presidency. Their core task is to ensure the census aligns with national priorities and the current economic reality.
Bagudu said the group will strictly follow a five-point mandate, which includes reviewing the proposed ₦949 billion census budget, identifying both domestic and foreign funding sources, and helping develop a full resource mobilization strategy. They are also tasked with assessing NPC’s readiness and suggesting improvements, including a suitable date for the count.
Emphasizing the importance of reliable data, Bagudu noted, “A national census is not a routine administrative exercise; it is a sovereign investment in evidence-based governance.” He stressed the urgency of the task, pointing out how population data directly affects planning in areas like security, food, and healthcare.
President Tinubu has given the committee just three weeks to submit its initial recommendations. Bagudu urged members to act with professionalism and unity, saying, “Our responsibility is to assess what exists, advise on what is feasible, and help unlock the next phase of action.” The committee’s formation followed a February 24 briefing by the NPC on its readiness to conduct a digital, biometric-based census using advanced technologies.
