SENATE PRESIDENT AKPABIO CHAMPIONS TIMELY CENSUS AS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLEDGES SUPPORT

In a significant move to ensure the timely and successful conduct of Nigeria's next Population and Housing Census, Senate President His Excellency Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has committed the National Assembly's full support. This pledge came during a courtesy visit from the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, and his delegation comprising Federal Commissioners, Director-General, Census Manager, and other officials at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja today, 18th December 2024.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Sen. Akpabio expressed concern over the obsolescence of census materials due to delays, warning that the ongoing postponement is causing significant losses to the country. "It's a national embarrassment that we don’t know our actual population figures," he stated, emphasizing the need for accurate data to guide national planning and combat pressing issues like unemployment and security challenges.

Sen. Akpabio praised the NPC for their efforts and assured the delegation of the National Assembly's commitment to advocate for the conduct of the next census, promising to engage with President Tinubu regarding fixing the date for the upcoming census.

Accompanying the NPC Chairman and his team, Sen. Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, confirmed the NPC's readiness for the census, revealing that his committee has inspected the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and other census sensitive materials stored in CBN offices.

He further stated that the NPC is over 75% ready for the next census, pending political will from the presidency.

During the visit, the NPC Chairman, Hon. Kwarra provided a detailed update on census preparations, which include the successful completion of Enumeration Area Demarcation, developing a national Enumeration Area Frame, conducting Census Pretests and a Trial Census to test tools and methodologies, launching a digital recruitment platform for census ad-hoc staff, procuring 760,000 PDAs and accessories, stored securely in the Central Bank of Nigeria State Offices and setting up a census situation room and call center for efficient operations.

The NPC Chairman also discussed ongoing advocacy efforts, including engagements with former heads of state, traditional rulers, and critical stakeholders to promote the importance of the census. He noted that the NPC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has inaugurated the security and logistics committee for the census, while plans are underway with the Honourable Minister of Information to inaugurate the National Census Publicity Committee.

Despite the postponement of the census by the previous administration, Hon. Kwarra affirmed that preparations continue in anticipation of a presidential proclamation. The NPC has held meetings with key government officials, including the President of Nigeria, the Senate and House Committees on National Population, the Minister of Finance, the DG Budget Office of the Federation, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure readiness for the census.

Hon. Kwarra said that NPC has built a robust Digital Data Centre in its Headquarters in Abuja and Disaster Recovery Centre in Kaduna State. He emphasized that the Commission has commenced charging and testing all the procured PDAs to ascertain their functionalities after being in storage for so long.

He pointed out that Nigeria has missed out on the 2020 round of censuses but is now focusing on the 2030 round of censuses which recommended a biometric census.

Furthermore, the NPC has digitized its Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, enhancing the efficiency of vital event registrations in Nigeria. A recent initiative, the National Birth Registration Drive, was launched by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Hon. Kwarra concluded by requesting the National Assembly's support in securing funding for the census in 2025 and other NPC activities. He expressed appreciation to Senator Akpabio for the opportunity to discuss these crucial matters.

Meanwhile, during the visit, all the Senate Principal Officers were present to support the Senate President to receive the NPC Officials, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing this vital national exercise.