|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to conduct a credible, transparent and internationally acceptable national census, stressing that effective public communication and strong inter-agency collaboration will be central to the exercise.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf, who led the Commission’s management team on a courtesy visit.
Idris underscored that reliable population data is the backbone of national development, warning that poor or inaccurate figures undermine effective planning and policy execution. He assured the NPC of the Ministry’s full backing, noting that its agencies — the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) — are fully prepared to mobilise citizens and drive nationwide advocacy once a census date is officially proclaimed by the President.
The Minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to deliver a census that commands both local and international confidence, emphasising that credibility, due process and legality will not be sacrificed for speed.
He reiterated that only a presidential proclamation provides the legal basis for conducting the census, adding that all statutory and operational requirements are being carefully aligned to meet global best practices.
Idris also urged the NPC to intensify the use of government-owned media platforms for sustained public enlightenment, assuring that the Ministry would continue to champion government policies and programmes in the national interest.
Earlier, NPC Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, commended the Ministry for its consistent leadership and support in public mobilisation ahead of the postponed census. He said the Commission remains fully prepared for the exercise, with logistics, ICT infrastructure, systems and personnel undergoing continuous refinement to guarantee efficiency, transparency and credibility.
Yusuf further appealed for sustained access to government media platforms to deepen public understanding of census participation, civil registration and vital statistics, stressing that public trust remains critical to effective population management in Nigeria.
