PRESIDENTIAL CENSUS COMMITTEE MEETS TO ENSURE COST-EFFECTIVE ENUMERATION

Today, 25th April 2025, the Presidential Committee on the upcoming Population and Housing Census under the chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu held a strategic meeting to review the budget and identify funding sources for the census exercise.

This meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning office in Abuja, followed the Committee's inaugural session earlier this week.

During the meeting, attendees discussed key issues, including cost reduction measures, potential funding sources, and the realistic date for the biometric census. The discussions aim to ensure the census is conducted efficiently and effectively.

Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, provided an update on collaborative efforts with agencies involved in biometric data collection, such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This partnership is seen as a strategic move to minimize costs associated with the census.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking government officials who are members of the Committee, including Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Admin and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff to the President) Mrs. Nathan Marsh, Principal Private Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri Okunola, Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and representatives from the Coordinating Ministers of Finance and Health and Social Welfare.

Other notable attendees who supported the Committee members included, Statistician-General/CEO of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Director-General of the NPC, Dr. Osifo Tellson Ojogun, and other key officials from the Commission.

The Committee aims to ensure that the census is not only accurate but also cost-effective, leveraging existing resources and partnerships to achieve its goals. Further updates on the progress of the census preparations are expected in the coming weeks.