Speaker Abbas Laments Delay In Conducting Population Census, Hails President On Order For Biometric Headcount
By Juliet Vincent
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has decried the delay in the conduct of national population census in Nigeria which he said would have established the country’s numerical strength.
Speaker Abbas, who expressed his support for an order by President Bola Tinubu, that the National Population Commission (NPC) should conduct a biometric census, said a national headcount was long overdue in the country.
He also expressed his readiness to meet with President Tinubu after liaising with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the matter.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker made this known in Abuja when the board and management of the NPC paid a courtesy call on him on Tuesday
On the NPC entourage were the Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, and the Director-General, Dr Ojogun Tellson Osifo.
Speaker Abbas, while responding to the NPC chairman who disclosed that the President had approved biometric-based census in 2025, stated that “It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to stay for 19 years without conducting a Population census.”
According to him, a census exercise would stop the doubts by critics who feel the country’s population is exaggerated.
The Speaker noted that “Statistics don’t lie,” and expressed his belief that the biometric system is the only way to determine the actual population with less deployment of resources.
He said, “I will be part of those who will engage Mr. President on the issue of conducting census this year”.
While he pointed out that the budget of the NPC was inadequate to conduct a successful census, the Speaker said the Federal Government may consider other sources of funds, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to see Mr President,” he said, adding that “it will be a historic thing” in Nigeria while it would also be “something that will immortalise his [President Tinubu’s] name.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the NPC briefed the Speaker on the plans for the census and the preparations made so far. Hon Kwarra sought the support of the House, and the National Assembly by extension, especially regarding funding and enabling laws.
He said part of the plans for the census included acquisition of technology, recruitment and training of officials, establishment of a situation room as well as advocacy/stakeholders engagements, including visits to former Presidents and ex-Heads of State.
