By George Ozalla
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has emphasized the need for another national census to aid Nigeria’s planning and development. Speaking with members and management of the National Population Commission (NPC) Wednesday, Akpabio noted that the last census was conducted in 2006, making a new census long overdue.
Akpabio expressed concern over the lack of accurate population data, citing instances where Nigerians are quoted with varying population figures in international fora. “Any country that fails to know its population has already started to fail in its planning,” he said, stressing the importance of accurate data for planning and development.
The Senate President assured the NPC of the National Assembly’s support for the census exercise, stating, “The National Assembly will support you to succeed. I have no doubt, with the calibre of men and women that I have seen here, that the task that Mr. President has given to you, once the proclamation is done, you will rise to the occasion.”
NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra, who led the delegation, sought the Senate President’s continued support for the census exercise, acknowledging that the Commission cannot conduct the census without the National Assembly’s backing. The National Population Commission is set to conduct a new census, which will provide accurate data for national planning, policy formulation, and tracking development, with the aim of informing decisions on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other critical sectors.
