The newly sworn-in Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Aminu Yusuf, has pledged his commitment to delivering a transparent, credible, and nationally acceptable census for Nigeria.
Yusuf pledged on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu alongside other commissioners of the NPC.
Speaking to State House Correspondents on the importance of accurate population data to Nigerians, the NPC Chairman assured that under his leadership, the forthcoming census would be conducted with the highest standards of integrity.
“Nigeria needs a transparent and acceptable census, which I have promised. I have taken an oath with my commissioners that we will be transparent in whatever we do regarding the conduct of the census, so that at the end of it all, it will be acceptable to Nigerians,” he said.
Describing the commitment as a solemn pledge, Mr Yusuf noted that, under the present leadership with the calibre of federal commissioners on his team and a highly experienced, versatile Director-General, the Commission is well-positioned to deliver on its mandate.
“This is a promise, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that with the team. With the calibre of team that I have as federal commissioners and a very versatile and experienced director general, I don’t have any fear, because it’s a mandate that the President has given us, and he has given us a matching order.”
He added that the Commission’s mandate extends far beyond census activities, noting that there are numerous critical functions and challenges the NPC is continually working to address.
Aside from the periodic conduct of population and housing censuses, registering births and deaths, and advising the government on population matters, the National Population Commission is also responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating population data to support national economic and development planning and for monitoring the national population policy.