Speaker Expresses Concern Over Delay In Conducting Census

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen has expressed concern over the delay in conducting the national population census, emphasizing its importance in establishing Nigeria’s numerical strength.

Dr Abbas who stated this in Abuja when the Management and Board of the National Population Commission, NPC, paid him a Visit, stressed that the national headcount is long overdue, citing a 19-year gap since the last census.

In a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi, the Speaker supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s order for a biometric census, which will help determine the actual population and address critics’ doubts about the country’s population.

He notes that the National Population Commission’s budget is inadequate and suggests exploring alternative funding sources, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF.

NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra briefed Tajudeen on the census preparations, seeking support from the House and the National Assembly, particularly regarding funding and enabling laws.

PR Oduyemi Odumade