The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, says he welcomed the reappointment of Mr. Collins Opiyo as the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) for Nigeria’s upcoming Population and Housing Census.
Mr. Kwarra who made this statement during a meeting with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) officials, led by Deputy Country Representative Koessan Kuawu, at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said the reappointment of Opiyo, would significantly enhance the Commission’s preparations for the country’s first biometric census.
The purpose of the meeting was to formally introduce Dr. Opiyo in his new role.
In his remarks, the NPC Chairman highlighted that Mr. Opiyo’s reappointment presented a vital opportunity to complete the initiatives he began in December 2021 during his initial tenure as CTA.
He noted that Mr. Opiyo played a crucial role in developing and implementing the Census Strategy Document, which laid a solid foundation for a transformative census before it was postponed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2023.
Kwarra also emphasised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to conducting the census, revealing that the President has directed the establishment of a committee to align the census budget with the government’s current financial realities.
“We want the census to be conducted this year,” he stated, expressing confidence that the President will issue a proclamation for the census soon.
UNFPA Nigeria’s Deputy Representative, Koessan Kuawu, commended Kwarra for his advocacy efforts that led President Tinubu to prioritise the upcoming census.
He assured the NPC of UNFPA’s unwavering support to ensure the successful execution of the census.
Mr. Collins Opiyo, upon his reappointment, expressed his enthusiasm for returning to complete the work he had started.
“I am back home. I never left. I was brought back to finish the assignment I was earlier sent to do,” he remarked.
He acknowledged President Tinubu’s recent commitment to conducting the census and noted that the UNFPA has been awaiting a clear declaration from the government regarding its intentions.
Opiyo stressed that Nigeria now has a unique opportunity to be among the first countries to conduct a census under the 2030 round of censuses, positioning it as a reference point for other nations.
NPC Federal Commissioners present at the meeting praised Mr. Opiyo’s reappointment, describing him as a seasoned professional capable of guiding the Commission in conducting the next census effectively.
Mr. Collins Opiyo was initially appointed as the Chief Technical Adviser for Nigeria’s Population and Housing Census in December 2021 and exited in March 2024, following the census postponement.
His reappointment is part of UNFPA technical support for Nigeria’s upcoming census.
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