Akpabio, Abbas Set To Meet Tinubu Over Delayed National Census

Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Senator Akpabio are set to meet President Tinubu to fast-track Nigeria’s delayed population census. Learn about the biometric census plans and government’s next steps.

Introduction
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has raised concerns about the prolonged delay in conducting a national population census, emphasizing its crucial role in determining Nigeria’s true population figures.

Key Highlights:

Speaker Abbas met with the National Population Commission (NPC) leadership in Abuja.
He strongly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a biometric-based census in 2025.
Plans are underway for discussions with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and President Tinubu.
Alternative funding sources, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), may be considered.

Why the Census Is Urgent
During a meeting with NPC Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra and Director-General Dr. Ojogun Tellson Osifo, Speaker Abbas stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to operate without updated population data. He pointed out that the last census was conducted 19 years ago, an unacceptable delay for a nation of Nigeria’s size. Abbas emphasized that biometric technology is vital for ensuring accurate population data collection while optimizing resource allocation.

Government’s Role and Next Steps
To fast-track progress, Abbas announced plans to meet with President Tinubu following discussions with Senate President Akpabio. He highlighted the importance of securing adequate funding for the NPC, considering its current budget constraints.

“I will be part of those engaging Mr. President on conducting the census this year,” Abbas affirmed, adding that this exercise could become a historic milestone and a legacy achievement for the Tinubu administration.

NPC’s Preparedness and Legislative Support
NPC Chairman Hon. Kwarra provided updates on the Commission’s preparations, including acquiring advanced technology, recruiting and training census officials, setting up a monitoring situation room, and engaging former Presidents and ex-Heads of State for advocacy.

To ensure the successful execution of the census, Kwarra urged the National Assembly to support the initiative by approving necessary funding and passing enabling laws.

Conclusion
With growing momentum and the backing of key political figures, the biometric national census is expected to take shape in 2025. If successfully conducted, it will provide Nigeria with essential demographic data, aiding economic planning, resource allocation, and governance.