We’ll Conduct A Credible Census — Commission

New chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Aminu Yusuf, has assured Nigerians that the agency would conduct a transparent, credible and widely acceptable national census under his leadership.

Speaking to State House Correspondents yesterday after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Yusuf said the commission is fully committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in the forthcoming census.

“Nigeria needs a transparent and acceptable census, which I have promised,” he said. “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.”

Yusuf described the commitment as a solemn pledge, noting that the calibre of federal commissioners and the experience of the director-general give the commission the confidence and capacity to deliver on its mandate.

“This is a promise, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that with the team,” he stated. “With the calibre of commissioners I have, and a very versatile and experienced director-general, I don’t have any fear. The President has given us a mandate and a marching order.”

The NPC chairman emphasised that the commission’s responsibilities go beyond conducting censuses, stressing that it also registers births and deaths, advises the government on population issues, and collects, analyses, and disseminates data critical for national planning and development.

He added that the commission continues to work to address several population-related challenges while strengthening its institutional capacity to deliver reliable demographic data.