FG considers devt companions to fund nationwide census

The Federal Authorities is exploring modern financing choices, together with partnerships with growth companions, to help the conduct of a brand new nationwide inhabitants census, the Minister of Finances and Financial Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has stated.

Bagudu disclosed this throughout a familiarisation go to by the Chairman of the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee, Aminu Yusuf, who led a delegation of federal commissioners and senior officers of the fee to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

In accordance with an announcement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Finances and Financial Planning, the minister acknowledged the monetary challenges related to conducting a contemporary nationwide census however assured that the federal government was dedicated to making sure the profitable implementation of the train.

Whereas recognising the price implications of the train, Bagudu stated the Federal Authorities was contemplating various funding methods and collaboration with growth companions to help the method.

The assertion learn, “Whereas recognising the monetary challenges concerned in conducting a contemporary nationwide census, the minister assured that the Federal Authorities is exploring modern funding choices, together with collaboration with growth companions, to ensure the profitable implementation of the train.”

It famous that the minister additionally emphasised the significance of dependable demographic information in addressing Nigeria’s growth challenges and strengthening public coverage planning.

“If we really wish to clear up Nigeria’s issues, we should be deliberate about understanding and organising our sources, particularly our folks,” Bagudu stated within the assertion.

He defined that credible inhabitants information stays important for nationwide planning, equitable distribution of sources, and the design of insurance policies that replicate the realities of residents throughout the nation.

In accordance with him, significant growth can’t happen with out correct details about the nation’s inhabitants, together with the place folks stay, the situations below which they stay, and the financial alternatives out there inside their communities.

Bagudu additional famous that Nigeria’s rising inhabitants may function a significant financial asset if supported by efficient planning and powerful establishments. Drawing comparisons with nations akin to China and India, the minister stated giant populations can turn out to be highly effective drivers of financial progress when supported with applicable insurance policies and growth methods.

He additionally highlighted the significance of demographic and spatial information in figuring out financial alternatives throughout Nigeria’s communities. In accordance with the minister, such data may assist drive decentralised growth by enabling wards, native governments, and states to determine and harness their comparative benefits.

“There isn’t a neighborhood in Nigeria with out potential,” Bagudu stated. He added that whereas some communities possess robust agricultural capability, others have mineral sources, and plenty of operate as business hubs able to driving financial exercise.

Bagudu additionally careworn that dependable inhabitants statistics are important for strengthening transparency and equity inside Nigeria’s federal system, as they supply a reputable foundation for nationwide planning and allocation of sources.

In his remarks, Yusuf stated the go to shaped a part of efforts to deepen cooperation between the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee and the ministry in strengthening Nigeria’s nationwide planning framework.

He defined that the fee is constitutionally mandated to generate correct demographic information required for growth planning and policymaking.

In accordance with him, the fee conducts inhabitants and housing censuses, coordinates the Civil Registration and Very important Statistics system, produces demographic statistics for presidency planning and screens the implementation of the Nationwide Inhabitants Coverage for Sustainable Growth.

Yusuf stated the fee was at the moment advancing plans to ascertain a contemporary, technology-based and built-in inhabitants information administration system for Nigeria.

He famous that this contains preparations for a reputable technology-enabled inhabitants and housing census, in addition to the growth and digitalisation of the nation’s civil registration system to make sure steady registration of births and deaths.

Yusuf additionally recommended Bagudu for main the presidential committee that reviewed the monetary and operational framework for the upcoming nationwide census.

He stated the committee’s work demonstrated the Federal Authorities’s dedication to conducting the train inside a clear and fiscally sustainable framework.

The NPC chairman added that correct inhabitants information stays vital for growth planning, implementation of presidency programmes and monitoring progress in direction of nationwide growth objectives.

He reiterated the fee’s dedication to transparency, accountability and collaboration with related authorities establishments to strengthen Nigeria’s inhabitants information system.

The PidomNigeria reported in December 2025 that Nigeria gave the impression to be on the verge of getting into a two-decade stretch with no nationwide inhabitants and housing census.

It was reported that the eight-member high-level committee arrange by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April to evaluation the census funds had not submitted its report, regardless of being given three weeks to current an interim doc.

The committee is chaired by the Minister of Finances and Financial Planning, Atiku Bagudu. Nigeria final performed a nationwide census in November 2006, recording a inhabitants of 140,431,790 folks. Practically 20 years later, the nation remains to be struggling to finish preparations for a brand new rely.

The deliberate census had confronted a number of setbacks below former President Muhammadu Buhari, together with funding shortages, insecurity and disruptions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regardless of strikes by the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee to deploy digital mapping and biometric techniques to enhance accuracy, the train was repeatedly postponed.

The 2023 census was finally shelved as a consequence of monetary constraints and the transition to a brand new administration, leaving a lot of the groundwork incomplete as Buhari exited workplace.

In March 2025, The PidomNigeria reported that former NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra submitted a N942bn census funds to the President, which Bola Tinubu rejected, prompting requires vital value reductions.

The Federal Authorities allotted N12.78bn to the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee in its proposed 2026 funds for census actions, building of everlasting workplace buildings and automobile procurement.

In accordance with the funds estimates sighted by Sunday PidomNigeria, N770m is allotted for the continuing Nationwide Inhabitants and Housing Census venture, whereas N8.4bn is earmarked for the development of everlasting workplace buildings for the fee.

The acquisition of official automobiles for federal commissioners is allotted N2.8bn. The event of the Nationwide Inhabitants Information Financial institution, the Nigerian Inhabitants Database Administration System, and the internet hosting of the inhabitants geo-portal and internet portal are to obtain N54.6m.

Preparation of the Enumeration Space Demarcation idea guide will value N1.89m, whereas N17.5m is deliberate for the conduct of a second pretest.