The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to conducting a credible, transparent and internationally acceptable national census, saying it will not sacrifice due process for speed.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Tuesday when the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf, led a management team on a courtesy visit to his office.
Idris said accurate population data remained critical to national planning, stressing that development would be impossible without reliable demographic figures.
“I want to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to delivering a credible, transparent, and internationally acceptable national census, anchored on effective public communication and inter-agency collaboration.
“I want to assure the NPC that my ministry and its agencies stand fully ready to mobilise Nigerians and drive nationwide advocacy whenever the President proclaims a census date,” Idris said.
According to him, agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and the News Agency of Nigeria would be deployed for nationwide sensitisation.
Idris also stressed that a presidential proclamation remained the legal basis for the conduct of the census, assuring that all requirements were being aligned to meet global standards
He urged the NPC to continue using government-owned media platforms for sustained public enlightenment on the exercise.
Earlier, Yusuf commended the ministry for its support in public mobilisation ahead of the postponed census.
He said the commission remained operationally ready, noting that its systems, logistics, ICT infrastructure and personnel were being continuously refined to ensure efficiency and transparency once a new date is announced.
Yusuf also called for sustained access to government media platforms to deepen public understanding of census participation and civil registration, describing public trust as central to effective population management in Nigeria.
Credit: NAN
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