Transforming the National Population Commission

On careful scrutiny, one needs not go far to know that the publications were handiwork of hatchet writers who ordinarily had no serious thing to say other than to further polarize this nation preparatory to 2016 population census and this must not be allowed, particularly now that Nigeria is facing serious challenges. The National Population […]

On careful scrutiny, one needs not go far to know that the publications were handiwork of hatchet writers who ordinarily had no serious thing to say other than to further polarize this nation preparatory to 2016 population census and this must not be allowed, particularly now that Nigeria is facing serious challenges.
The National Population Commission (NPC) was established by the federal government in 1988. It has the statutory powers to collect, analyze and disseminate population/demographic data in the country. It is also mandated to undertake demographic sample surveys, compile, collate and publish migration and civil registration statistics as well as monitor the country’s Population Policy. The Commission was reconstituted in 2012 with Eze Festus Odimegwu as chairman and 37 other members representing each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The Commission has a network of offices covering all the administrative tiers of the country: Federal, State and Local Government Areas (LGAs).  
The NPC Vision is ‘to become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in Nigeria’, and Mission ‘to be the leading demographic agency in Africa by 2017 meeting the data needs of all end-users and ensuring a robust population quality for national transformation and global competitiveness’.
There is no doubt that the NPC is a key national institution given the importance of accurate census in national planning. Little wonder that at the inauguration of the new NPC Board, the Chairman promised to work with all stakeholders to unlock the values for Nigerians. Indeed, as the Chairman once said, the present administration’s transformation agenda encapsulates both an inspiring vision and an audacious redeeming notion to secure the well being of all Nigerians.
Achieving the relevant milestones, in representation and governance; for quantum leaps in economic progress and social justice and for investor friendly ecosystems, and to generate the needed jobs and taxable wealth, requires a FACT-BASED planning and organizing paradigm, in place of opinions and quesstimates.
To have this data requires a zero-based census as an absolute imperative. We as Nigerians need to know ourselves, with a logical and scientifically provable and auditable population project. We also need reliable demographics and statistical characterization of our population that will make segmentation possible and a data bank that provides intelligence on all persons within our borders are desirable. In this regard, the commission believes that with vital registration that will sustain real-time accuracy and adoption of an appropriate portfolio of technologies, talents and partnerships, Nigeria should meet all its population related key issues.
As part of its strategic repositioning mechanism, the new leadership came up with a five point objectives which are:
a. To upgrade and expand national registration infrastructure for 100 % timeliness, accuracy and completeness of vital statistics for planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes in Nigeria by the end of 2014
b. Organize, design, plan and execute a Greenfield zero-based biometric census of all persons in Nigeria from May 2016-December 2016
c. Establish a National Database of Nigerians for their real time unique identity and ensure plug and play through a modern geo-portal to render services to all stakeholders, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), security agencies and international partners, and become a more credible and respected commission locally and internationally
d. Manage the population by coordinating all population related activities and programmes in Nigeria
e. Catalyze equitable and sustainable development in Nigeria; and create a conducive atmosphere for improving the Gross National Happiness, Peace and Security.
The above objectives were no doubt informed by the Commission’s realization that national development and global competitiveness are essential to lift Nigerians out of low standard of living towards improved quality of life and that there can be no development without effective planning and prudent management of resources and this cannot be possible without reliable and credible Data and real time information.  
Within its one year in office, the new leadership has recorded tremendous strides, including formulating a Vision and Mission that key into the Transformation Agenda with impute from all Headquarters Directors, Deputy and Assistant Directors for ownership and inspiration.
Suffice it to say that the result of the modest achievements made by the new leadership has led to the present high staff morale demonstrated by their determination to fast-track the transformation process with credible data, policies and programmes for the betterment of this country.  
But while these are going on, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that lack of appropriate technology, unique identity database and focused use has been long identified as basis for corruption, mismanagement, challenges in governance, representation and security and many others. It is only the NPC that could change this situation through accurate census, which could only be done through open and transparent processes consistent with global best practices, fiscal responsibility, accountability and due process.
Right now, all the Commission needs is our collective, unalloyed support, not distraction, in the discharge of this onerous national task.

Danladi wrote from Abuja <[email protected]>;