NPC CHAIRMAN MEETS CISON PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

The Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, FCISON, today, 18th September 2025, met with the President of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON), Dr. Godday Ebuh and his team at the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja. The visit was aimed at updating the NPC on the Institute's initiatives and exploring collaborative opportunities to enhance statistical practices and improve data utilization in policymaking.

In his remarks, Hon. Kwarra expressed gratitude for the visit and assured the CISON delegation of the NPC's support for the Institute’s activities. He encouraged NPC staff to register with CISON, emphasizing that the Commission, as a leading data-generating agency, should have the highest membership within the Institute.

Hon. Kwarra underscored the NPC's pivotal role in providing demographic, socio-economic, and geospatial data for evidence-based planning and policymaking. He reaffirmed the Commission's readiness to conduct the forthcoming Population and Housing Census, awaiting the official proclamation of the date by President Tinubu. The NPC Chairman noted that Mr. President wants the Commission to adopt a biometric approach in the next census, which also aligns with the UN recommendations for the 2030 global round of censuses that began this year.

Further discussing the NPC's initiatives, Hon. Kwarra highlighted the digitization of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system. He mentioned the Commission's collaborations with organizations such as UNICEF, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to enhance CRVS national data coverage. He assured the CISON team that the NPC is committed to strengthening its partnership with the Institute to effectively fulfill its mandates.

Earlier, Dr. Ebuh commended the NPC for its significant achievements, describing the Commission as a "geospatial champion." He emphasized the urgent need for the next census to be conducted promptly, stressing that the country should not rely solely on estimates for planning purposes.

Dr. Ebuh noted that while the NPC is a corporate member of CISON, it should regularize its membership to foster closer collaboration.

He also extended a formal invitation to the NPC to participate in CISON's upcoming Annual Conference scheduled for later this month in Asaba, Delta State, requesting that the Commission's areas of concern be included in the conference discussions.

Director-General of the NPC, Dr. Osifo Tellson Ojogun, revealed that the NPC Chairman has emphasized the importance of attending the conference, ensuring that the Commission's presence is felt.

Other key NPC officials present at the meeting included Director of Accounts, Hajia Zainab Agbaje, Director of Census Department, Dr. Inuwa Jalingo, Census Manager, Mrs. Titilayo Hammed, and Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department and Protocol Officer to the Chairman, Mr. Azeez Amoo.

This meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing the relationship between the NPC and CISON, paving the way for improved data practices and informed policymaking in Nigeria.