Nigeria is taking significant steps toward conducting a national population and housing census with biometric and digital enhancements. President Bola Tinubu, during a meeting at the State House on Monday with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC), reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring accurate and reliable census data for effective development planning.

To align the census budget with the government’s current financial realities, President Tinubu announced plans to establish a committee for budgetary review. He emphasized the importance of leveraging biometric technology, including facial and voice recognition, to enhance the credibility of the census process. He also stressed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) should be actively involved in the review.

The President highlighted how improved demographic data could enhance government programs, such as the distribution of fertilizers and other social welfare initiatives. Nigeria’s last national census was conducted in November 2006.