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Hopes for digitalised census
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From Idu Jude, Abuja
The newly appointed Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Aminu Yusuf, on Wednesday pledged to deliver on President Bola Tinubu’s mandate for a credible and transparent national census.
Yusuf, sworn in by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, affirmed the Commission’s full commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in the forthcoming census.
He said: “I wish to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding me worthy of this great responsibility and similarly entrusting the two Federal Commissioners representing Nasarawa and Yobe States, who have also been sworn in today.
“Our appointments reflect the President’s faith in integrity, competence, and commitment to national service. This trust is both a privilege and a solemn responsibility, one I pledge to uphold with unwavering dedication.
“During our swearing-in earlier today, Mr President delivered a charge that resonates deeply with clarity and purpose. He reminded us that the time has come to rebuild confidence, modernise our demographic systems, and deliver a credible, transparent, and technology-driven national census—a census that will not merely count people, but shape policies, drive development, and guide the destiny of our nation. His words were more than instructions; they were a call to national renewal.
“I wish to use this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of my predecessor, Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra. Through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment, he greatly advanced Nigeria’s demographic governance and fortified the institutional foundations upon which we continue to build.
“Let me affirm, however, that this mission cannot be achieved by one person alone. Its success depends on the collective commitment of all Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, as well as the management and staff of the Commission. I therefore solicit the wholehearted cooperation and support of everyone as we embark on this transformative journey together.
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“In line with the President’s charge, we are here to begin a new chapter, defined by purpose and collective resolve to deliver to Nigerians credible and reliable demographic data for national development planning.
“Let me underscore this fundamental truth: the mandate of our Commission is vast, profound, and transformative. Our responsibilities extend far beyond the conduct of national censuses. We are entrusted with maintaining a robust Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, developing and preserving a Comprehensive National Geospatial Frame, and conducting specialised surveys that generate high-quality data and provide the government with evidence-based advice on population-related matters.
“There is no denying that the task before us is formidable. It demands resilience and resolute obligation. Hence, our efforts must be guided by an unshakeable pledge to excellence—a strong sense of duty and patriotic zeal to push us not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them, leaving a legacy of achievement and credibility that will endure far beyond today.”
Yusuf continued: “The second pillar is the delivery of a modern, technology-driven Population and Housing Census. Conducting a national census is one of the most complex operations a country can undertake. It demands meticulous preparation, disciplined execution, and uncompromising accuracy.
“We are committed to delivering a census Nigerians can trust and use. Every stage—from the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) updating, logistics deployment, field operations, quality assurance measures, to performing Post-Enumeration Surveys (PES)—will be carried out diligently and professionally.
“Our ultimate goal is to conduct a digital census, biometrically verified, whose outcome will be credible and reliable. It will conform to international best practices and United Nations principles, producing results that withstand scrutiny at home and abroad.”
He also assured that the census will not merely count people and houses but will serve as a national asset for sustainable development planning.
