Nigeria cannot plan for population it does not count, says NPC

By Folarin Kehinde

The National Population Commission (NPC) has stressed the importance of a credible, technology-driven Population and Housing Census, saying Nigeria cannot effectively plan or allocate resources without accurate population data.

The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf, stated this in Abuja during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 World Population Day.

Yusuf said a technology-based census was essential for evidence-driven planning, especially given Nigeria’s youthful population profile.

“We cannot plan for a population we do not accurately count,” he said.

He added that a credible census remained the most effective tool to map, disaggregate and sustainably deploy resources for millions of Nigerians who depend on government interventions and development programmes.

According to him, Nigeria, with an estimated population of 238 million people, remains Africa’s most populous country and one of the youngest nations in the world, with people aged 15 to 29 years accounting for about 30 per cent of the population.

The NPC chairman said reliable demographic information was critical for governments to make informed decisions in key sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, housing and infrastructure.

He noted that while the Federal Government had introduced several youth-focused initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, accurate population data was needed to assess their impact and ensure resources reached the intended beneficiaries.

Yusuf said the commission was strengthening the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system as well as the National Geospatial Data Repository to improve birth registration and capture previously undocumented demographic information across the 774 local government areas.

He also called for accelerated review of the National Youth Policy and sustained investment in education, skills development, healthcare and job creation to enable young Nigerians to maximise their potential.

Speaking on the theme of the 2026 World Population Day, “Realising the hopes and aspirations of young people — today and for the future,” Yusuf said Nigeria’s demographic advantage could only translate into economic growth through deliberate investments in human capital development.

He warned that inadequate investment in young people, economic pressures, infrastructure gaps and insecurity could prevent the country from fully harnessing its demographic dividend.

The NPC chairman urged the media to continue creating awareness on population and development issues, describing accurate reporting as vital to evidence-based policymaking and national development.

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