Former Kano State Governor and the 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to urgently conduct a national Population and Housing Census, warning that Nigeria can no longer rely on demographic data compiled two decades ago.
In a statement marking World Population Day on Saturday, July 11, 2026, Kwankwaso said the absence of a fresh census since March 2006 has deprived the country of the accurate population data needed for effective governance and national planning.
He said reliable demographic statistics are essential for policymaking, resource allocation and service delivery across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, security, infrastructure and employment.
According to him, continued dependence on outdated census figures undermines evidence-based planning and sustainable development, particularly for a country whose population is estimated to have surpassed 200 million.
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Kwankwaso urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to immediately commence a credible, transparent and technology-driven census, insisting that further delays would only deepen planning and development challenges.
Nigeria last conducted a Population and Housing Census in March 2006. Efforts to hold another exercise have repeatedly stalled, including under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Tinubu administration also postponed the census after assuming office in 2023, citing the need for additional funding, planning and technological preparation.
The prolonged delay has continued to raise concerns over its impact on economic planning, infrastructure development, public service delivery, security planning and the equitable distribution of national resources.