Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, expressed concern about the absence of precise population data for effective national planning in Nigeria. He regretted that successive administrations have relied on inconsistent figures, hindering the formulation of a strategic plan for the country’s future.
Addressing a delegation from the National Population Commission (NPC), led by Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra, Senator Ningi emphasized the need for accurate population figures, stating, “All those things are mere guesswork, and it is the population commission that is saddled with the constitutional responsibility to do that.”
He underscored the importance of a reliable census, stating that understanding the country’s population is essential for Nigeria to make a meaningful impact on the global stage. He added, “Without knowing who we are and how many we are, we can’t continue to guess.”
Senator Babangida Hussaini, a committee member representing Jigawa Northwest, highlighted the need to address issues related to population growth, city planning, education, security, and water management, emphasizing the importance of securing the country’s extensive land borders.
Saidat Olayinka Oladunjiye, nominated by President Bola Tinubu as NPC Commissioner for Lagos State, assured the committee of a robust guideline for a successful enumeration exercise.
She mentioned the deployment of the Geographic Information System (GIS) and expressed confidence that the upcoming population census would be one of the best in the country, emphasizing the significance of accurate data as “data is blood.”
Ada Peter
