Nigeria’s Next Census Hinges On Trust, Not Speed… Information Minister
In a country where population figures shape everything from political representation to public spending, trust may matter more than numbers.
That message took centre stage in Abuja as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a national census that Nigerians, and the global community, can believe in.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says effective communication will be critical to the success of Nigeria’s next population count.
He made this known while receiving the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Aminu Yusuf, and his management team during a courtesy visit.
According to the Minister, credible population data remains the backbone of national development, warning that without accurate figures, meaningful planning becomes impossible.
He assured the NPC of full support from the Ministry and its agencies, including the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, and the News Agency of Nigeria, to mobilise citizens once the President formally proclaims a census date.
Idris stressed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising credibility, legality, and due process over rushing the exercise, noting that a presidential proclamation remains the legal foundation for conducting the census.
He added that the government is determined to deliver a census that meets international standards and urged the NPC to continue leveraging public media platforms to sustain nationwide enlightenment and build confidence ahead of the exercise.
Earlier, NPC Chairman Dr Aminu Yusuf commended the Ministry for its leadership in public mobilisation efforts, saying the Commission remains operationally ready.
He disclosed that logistics, ICT systems, and personnel are being continuously refined to ensure transparency and efficiency once a new census date is announced.
Dr Yusuf also emphasised that public trust is central to successful population management, calling for sustained access to government media platforms to deepen understanding of census participation, civil registration, and vital statistics.
For now, the message from the government shows Nigeria’s next census will be driven by credibility and not by haste.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5
