The meeting underscored the critical role of reliable demographic data in national development, with both leaders highlighting the foundational importance of accurate population figures for effective planning, resource allocation, policy formulation, and sustainable growth. Idris stressed that development remains elusive without trustworthy data, stating unequivocally that "if you can’t measure, you can’t plan, and if you can’t plan, the results are predictable." He described the census as "not optional" for Nigeria, aligning it directly with the imperatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.
Nigeria's last comprehensive population and housing census took place in 2006, leaving a significant gap of nearly two decades in official demographic statistics. Previous attempts to conduct a new exercise, including plans for 2023, faced postponements due to logistical, financial, and preparatory challenges, as well as external factors. The prolonged absence of updated census data has posed ongoing difficulties for governance, with planners relying on projections, surveys, and estimates that often fall short of precision. This has affected everything from electoral constituency delimitation and revenue sharing to healthcare provisioning, education planning, and infrastructure development.
In his remarks, Minister Idris emphasized that the Tinubu administration is meticulously aligning all legal, procedural, and operational requirements to ensure the forthcoming census meets global best practices and standards set by international bodies such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other statistical authorities. He noted that a presidential proclamation remains the constitutional and legal trigger for the exercise, and the government is working diligently to meet all prerequisites before such an announcement. "Our census must be one Nigerians can trust and one the international community will accept," Idris declared, adding that the process would prioritize credibility, legality, transparency, and inclusivity over any rush to completion.
A key focus of the discussion was the strategic use of communication to build public confidence and participation. Idris highlighted the ministry's readiness to lead nationwide advocacy and mobilization efforts once a census date is proclaimed. He urged the NPC to leverage government-owned media platforms—including radio, television, and digital channels—to educate citizens on the benefits of the census, the importance of accurate self-reporting, and the safeguards in place to protect data privacy and prevent manipulation. Effective public sensitization, he argued, is essential to counter misconceptions, reduce apathy, and encourage widespread involvement, particularly in hard-to-reach areas and among vulnerable populations.
The minister also assured full inter-agency collaboration, positioning his ministry's National Publicity Committee—which he chairs—as a pivotal partner in driving awareness campaigns. This approach reflects lessons from past exercises, where inadequate communication contributed to undercounting, mistrust, and disputes over results. By anchoring the census in robust, multi-channel engagement, the government aims to foster a sense of national ownership and ensure that every eligible resident is counted.
Responding to the minister, NPC Chairman Dr. Aminu Yusuf expressed appreciation for the ministry's leadership in public mobilization and reaffirmed the commission's operational preparedness. Since assuming office in December 2025, Yusuf has pledged reforms to reposition the NPC as a globally respected institution grounded in integrity, technology, and professionalism. He highlighted ongoing refinements to systems, logistics, ICT infrastructure, and personnel training to guarantee efficiency and transparency. The commission, he said, remains "operationally ready" to execute a digital, biometrically verified census that produces reliable, verifiable results.
Yusuf specifically sought sustained access to government media outlets to deepen public understanding of census participation, civil registration, and vital statistics systems. He commended the minister's role in fostering inter-agency synergy and expressed confidence that collaborative efforts would culminate in a successful exercise aligned with President Tinubu's vision for data-driven governance.
The emphasis on a digital census represents a significant evolution from previous manual processes. Preparations include the use of electronic data capture devices, geospatial mapping for enumeration areas, and biometric verification to minimize errors and fraud. These technological upgrades, supported by international partners, aim to enhance accuracy, speed up data processing, and produce timely, disaggregated results for better policy targeting.
Stakeholders have welcomed the government's assurances, viewing them as a step toward addressing long-standing concerns about census credibility. Civil society groups, economists, and development experts have repeatedly called for a reliable headcount to inform equitable resource distribution under Nigeria's federal structure. Inaccurate or outdated figures have fueled controversies over revenue allocation from the Federation Account, political representation, and security planning.
As preparations advance, the government faces the challenge of securing adequate funding, managing logistics across Nigeria's diverse terrain, and addressing potential security risks in volatile regions. The 2026 budget has reportedly allocated substantial resources—around N12.78 billion—to the NPC for census-related activities, signaling serious intent. However, final costs will depend on the scale, timeline, and scope once proclaimed.
Idris and Yusuf's joint commitment reflects a broader recognition that credible data is indispensable for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, tracking demographic shifts, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. With public trust as a cornerstone, the administration is positioning the census not merely as a statistical exercise but as a national project essential to Nigeria's progress.
While no specific date has been set, the emphasis on readiness and communication suggests the exercise could move forward in the near term, provided all alignments are completed. Nigerians await further updates, hopeful that this long-delayed census will finally deliver the accurate, inclusive results needed to propel the country toward inclusive development.
