Kwankwaso Urges Fresh Census, Says ‘Time for Excuses Over’

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to conduct a new national Population and Housing Census, stressing that Nigeria has gone two decades without the exercise.

In a statement posted on his official X account on World Population Day (July 11, 2026), Kwankwaso noted that the country still relies on figures from the 2006 census for critical national planning.

He warned that outdated data undermines effective decision-making in areas such as education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, employment, and resource allocation.

“The last exercise, held in 2006, has left us relying on outdated population figures for critical national decisions,” he said, adding that accurate and current statistics are vital for governance, national security, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

Kwankwaso urged the government to prioritize a credible, transparent, and technology-driven census, declaring: “The time for excuses is over. The time to act is now.”

His demand comes amid growing concerns that Nigeria’s lack of updated demographic data continues to hinder equitable development and long-term planning.

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