The Federal Government is considering alternative funding arrangements, including partnerships with development partners, to finance Nigeria’s next national population census, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has said.
Bagudu disclosed this during a visit by the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Aminu Yusuf, who led federal commissioners and senior officials of the commission to the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the ministry, the minister acknowledged the high cost of conducting a modern census but said the government remains committed to ensuring the exercise takes place.
“While recognising the financial challenges involved in conducting a modern national census, the minister assured that the Federal Government is exploring innovative funding options, including collaboration with development partners, to guarantee the successful implementation of the exercise.”
Bagudu stressed that credible population data is critical for national development planning, resource allocation and evidence-based policymaking.
“If we truly want to solve Nigeria’s problems, we must be deliberate about understanding and organising our resources, especially our people,” Bagudu said.
He explained that accurate information about population distribution, living conditions and economic opportunities is necessary to design policies that reflect the realities of citizens across the country.
The minister also noted that Nigeria’s large population could become a major economic advantage if properly managed through effective planning and strong institutions. Drawing comparisons with countries such as China and India, he said large populations can drive economic growth when supported by sound development policies.
“There is no community in Nigeria without potential,” Bagudu said, noting that while some areas have strong agricultural capacity, others possess mineral resources or function as commercial centres capable of driving economic activity.
He added that reliable population statistics are also essential for strengthening transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s federal system, particularly in the distribution of national resources.
In his remarks, Yusuf said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the commission and the ministry in support of national planning.
He noted that the commission is constitutionally mandated to generate demographic data required for policymaking, including conducting population and housing censuses, coordinating the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, and monitoring the implementation of the National Population Policy for Sustainable Development.
Yusuf disclosed that the commission is currently working toward establishing a technology-driven population data management system, which includes preparations for a digital population and housing census as well as expanded civil registration of births and deaths.
He also commended Bagudu for chairing the presidential committee reviewing the financial and operational framework for the upcoming census, saying the effort demonstrates the government’s commitment to a transparent and fiscally sustainable process.
Nigeria last conducted a national census in November 2006, recording a population of 140,431,790 people. Several attempts to hold a new census since then have faced delays due to funding constraints, security challenges and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
