Bagudu clarifies committee’s task

Says It’s to ensure adequate funding, planning for census

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said yesterday in Abuja that the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census is an ad hoc technical body established to identify funding sources for the upcoming enumeration of Nigerians.

He spoke at the committee’s inaugural meeting, which was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu last week, to provide informed guidance on financing strategies, institutional coordination, and practical timelines for the enumeration.

Bagudu chairs the committee, which includes the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr. Nasir Kwarra, as secretary; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue, Dr Zach Adedeji; the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Ms. Bisoye Coker-Odusote; the Principal Private Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration (Office of the Chief of Staff), Mr. Temilola Adekunle-Johnson.

He said the committee was distinct from the National Population Commission, the body legally mandated to plan, coordinate, and conduct population and housing censuses in the country.

He explained that the committee was an ad hoc advisory body created to provide targeted guidance on specific areas of census planning and resourcing, emphasising that members were appointed based on their offices’ strategic responsibilities.

Bagudu stated that the committee’s role was to advise strictly within its five-point terms of reference, which included conducting a thorough review of the existing census budget to ensure alignment with current fiscal realities and national priorities.

He listed other terms as recommendations for feasible funding sources for the census, distinguishing between domestic resources and external partnerships, while developing a comprehensive resource mobilisation strategy that considers engagement with potential development partners, international agencies, and domestic private sector entities.

The minister stated that the ad hoc body would also evaluate the National Population Commission’s (NPC) existing preparations, logistics, and technical capacities, and recommend areas for immediate strengthening. It would also recommend an optimal and realistic date for the next Population and Housing Census, funding availability, and other relevant national considerations.

Highlighting the enormity of the committee’s task, he said, “A national census is not a routine administrative exercise; it is a sovereign investment in evidence-based governance.

“As we confront new challenges in urbanisation, security, food systems, public health, and social protection, the need for up-to-date population and housing data is not simply desirable but foundational.

“The assignment before this committee is therefore urgent and consequential.”

Bagudu informed the members that President Tinubu had instructed the committee to submit preliminary recommendations within three weeks.

“This timeline reflects both the gravity of the task and the confidence reposed in this team to provide practical, well-considered advice,” he noted.

He urged the members to fulfil their responsibilities with a shared commitment to excellence, professionalism, and national service, emphasising that the NPC had established a strong foundation for its work.

“Our responsibility is to assess what exists, advise on what is feasible, and help unlock the next phase of action,” he explained, emphasising that the committee’swork should reflect the best of institutional collaboration in service of the Nigerian people.

The committee was formed following the NPC’s briefing to the President on February 24, 2025, regarding the progress made toward conducting a digital Population and Housing Census with biometric components.  The commission provided a comprehensive overview, highlighting its readiness to deploy advanced technology, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, and voice capture, to ensure transparency and inclusivity.

It proposed a budget of N949 billion for the exercise.

President Tinubu, who reiterated his unwavering support for a credible and modern census, however, noted the imperative of aligning such a major national undertaking with prevailing fiscal conditions.

Therefore, he directed the formation of the Bagudu committee to provide informed guidance on financing strategies, institutional coordination, and practical timelines for implementing the NPC proposal.

In attendance were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris; a director in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Chiroma Ahmed, representing the minister; Chairman of the NPC, Mr. Nasir Kwarra; Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote; Director of Legal at FIRS, Mr. Egodi Adedeji, representing the executive chairman; and the Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Samuel Adeyemi, among other senior officials from relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.

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