Credible population data key to Nigeria’s development – FG The federal government has said that reliable population data remains critical for effective national planning, fair distribution of resources and the development of policies that address the real needs of Nigerians. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, stated this during a visit by the leadership of the National Population Commission (NPC) to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja over the weekend. Bagudu spoke when the Chairman of the commission, Aminu Yusuf, led a delegation of federal commissioners and senior officials to the ministry as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between both institutions. According to the minister, dependable demographic data is necessary for any government that wants to properly address the challenges facing its citizens. “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 the country’s population is a key requirement for meaningful development, stressing that government policies can only succeed when planners clearly understand how many people live in the country, where they live and the conditions under which they live. Bagudu said credible population figures would also help the government identify opportunities in different parts of the country and design programmes that respond to the specific needs of each community. He added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the strategic importance of reliable demographic data in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges and shaping public policy. The minister congratulated Yusuf on his appointment and assured the commission of the Federal Government’s support in its efforts to improve Nigeria’s population data system. Bagudu said understanding the structure of Nigeria’s population would allow the government to plan better in areas such as education, healthcare, housing, employment and infrastructure. He also noted that Nigeria’s growing population should not only be seen as a challenge but also as a potential economic advantage if properly managed. Drawing comparisons with countries such as China and India, the minister said large populations can become powerful drivers of economic growth when governments put the right systems and institutions in place. According to him, “Many countries with large populations have turned that advantage into economic strength because they planned carefully and invested in their people.” Bagudu said reliable demographic and spatial data would also help promote balanced development across the country by allowing communities to identify their economic strengths. “There is no community in Nigeria without potential,” he said. He explained that some communities may have strong agricultural capacity, others may possess mineral resources, while some function as major trading centres. According to him, proper population data can help authorities identify these opportunities and design policies that support economic activities in different parts of the country. The minister also said credible demographic information helps strengthen trust and fairness in Nigeria’s federal system because it provides a transparent basis for development planning and the sharing of national resources. Bagudu admitted that organising a modern national census requires significant financial resources but assured that the Federal Government is considering different funding options to ensure the exercise is successfully carried out. He said government is exploring collaboration with development partners and other stakeholders to make the census process financially sustainable. In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Aminu Yusuf, said the visit to the ministry was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the commission and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in order to improve Nigeria’s national planning system. Yusuf explained that the commission has a constitutional responsibility to generate accurate demographic data that can guide government policies and support sustainable development. He said the commission carries out population and housing censuses, coordinates Nigeria’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system and produces population statistics that help policymakers understand demographic trends in the country. According to him, the commission also monitors the implementation of the National Population Policy for Sustainable Development. Yusuf said the commission is currently working on plans to build a modern and technology-driven population data management system for the country. He explained that the initiative includes preparations for a credible and technology-based population and housing census, as well as efforts to expand and digitalise Nigeria’s civil registration system to ensure that births and deaths are continuously recorded. He said improving civil registration would help provide more accurate information about the country’s population and support better decision-making by government institutions. Yusuf also commended Bagudu for his role in leading the presidential committee that reviewed the financial and operational framework for the upcoming national census. According to him, the committee’s work shows the Federal Government’s commitment to conducting the census in a transparent and financially responsible manner. He noted that reliable population data is necessary for development planning, the proper implementation of government programmes and the monitoring of progress towards national development goals. Yusuf said the commission remains committed to transparency, accountability and close cooperation with government institutions and development partners in strengthening Nigeria’s population data system. He added that improved demographic data would help the country make better decisions about development priorities and ensure that public resources are directed to areas where they are most needed.