By George Ozalla
Bagudu explained that the committee’s role is distinct from the National Population Commission (NPC), the body legally mandated to plan, coordinate, and conduct population and housing censuses in the country. The committee’s task is to provide targeted guidance on specific areas of census planning and resourcing, focusing on five key areas: reviewing the existing census budget to ensure alignment with current fiscal realities and national priorities, recommending feasible funding sources for the census, developing a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy that considers engagement with potential development partners, international agencies, and domestic private sector entities, evaluating the NPC’s existing preparations, logistics, and technical capacities, and recommending immediate strengthening of any areas that require improvement, and recommending an optimal and realistic date for the next Population and Housing Census, funding availability, and other relevant national considerations.
The minister emphasized the significance of the committee’s task, stating that a national census is not a routine administrative exercise but a sovereign investment in evidence-based governance. “As we confront new challenges in urbanisation, security, food systems, public health, and social protection, the need for up-to-date population and housing data is not simply desirable but foundational,” he said.
Bagudu noted that the committee has been given a tight deadline to submit preliminary recommendations within three weeks, reflecting the gravity of the task and the confidence reposed in the team. “This timeline reflects both the gravity of the task and the confidence reposed in this team to provide practical, well-considered advice,” he noted.
The committee’s formation follows the NPC’s briefing to President Bola Tinubu on February 24, 2025, regarding the progress made toward conducting a digital Population and Housing Census with biometric components. The commission provided a comprehensive overview, highlighting its readiness to deploy advanced technology, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, and voice capture, to ensure transparency and inclusivity. It proposed a budget of N949 billion for the exercise.
President Tinubu reiterated his unwavering support for a credible and modern census; however, he noted the imperative of aligning such a major national undertaking with prevailing fiscal conditions. Therefore, he directed the formation of the Bagudu committee to provide informed guidance on financing strategies, institutional coordination, and practical timelines for implementing the NPC proposal.
Bagudu urged the members to fulfill their responsibilities with a shared commitment to excellence, professionalism, and national service, emphasizing that the NPC had established a strong foundation for its work. “Our responsibility is to assess what exists, advise on what is feasible, and help unlock the next phase of action,” he explained, emphasizing that the committee’s work should reflect the best of institutional collaboration in service of the Nigerian people.
