Former Kano State Governor and 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the Federal Government to conduct a credible, transparent and technology-driven national population and housing census without further delay.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Saturday in a message posted on his X account to mark the 2026 World Population Day, expressing concern over Nigeria’s failure to conduct a national census in the last two decades.
According to him, the country’s continued reliance on population figures from the 2006 census has negatively affected planning, governance and decision-making across critical sectors.
“It is deeply concerning that our nation has not conducted a national population and housing census in two decades. The last exercise, held in 2006, has left us relying on outdated population figures for critical national decisions on education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, employment, and resource allocation.
“This data vacuum undermines effective planning and equitable development.”
“Accurate, up-to-date population statistics are the bedrock of good governance, national security, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. We cannot continue to shape the future of an estimated over 200 million Nigerians using statistics frozen in time,” Kwankwaso said.
The former governor noted that reliable demographic data is essential for effective governance, national security, infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education planning, job creation and equitable distribution of resources.
He warned that the absence of current population statistics continues to hamper evidence-based policymaking and national development efforts.
Calling for urgent action, Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to make the long-delayed census a national priority, insisting that modern technology should be deployed to ensure transparency, accuracy and public confidence in the exercise.
“On this World Population Day, I strongly urge the Federal Government to prioritise and conduct a credible, transparent and technology-driven National Population and Housing Census without further delay. The time for excuses is over. The time to act is now,” he added.
Nigeria has not conducted an official national population and housing census since 2006, with several planned exercises postponed over the years due to funding constraints, logistical challenges and other administrative considerations.
