Mohammed Durunguwa, former federal commissioner at the National Population Commission, has cautioned that Nigeria’s prolonged failure to conduct a credible national census threatens effective governance, security planning, and the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, Durunguwa lamented that the country relies on projections rather than verified population figures since the last census in 2006.
He argued that without accurate demographic data, authorities cannot allocate resources efficiently, design security strategies, or plan elections that reflect the true distribution of voters.
According to him, population statistics in Nigeria have become highly politicised, making consensus on figures difficult and weakening trust in official data.
He warned that estimates placing the population above 240 million remain uncertain and could distort planning if not validated through a credible headcount.
Durunguwa also revealed that significant preparations were made between 2020 and 2023 for a digital census, including the procurement of technological devices.
However, he said continued delays risk rendering those tools obsolete, potentially forcing the Government to spend additional funds on new equipment.
He stressed that conducting a nationwide census today would demand enormous logistics, noting that more than two million enumerators could be required.
Despite the cost, he insisted that postponing the exercise further would be more damaging, warning that credible population data is essential not only for development planning but also for ensuring transparent and trusted elections in 2027.
