The Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and exploring enhanced media partnerships in preparation for the forthcoming national Population and Housing Census and other activities of the Commission.
In his remarks, NPC Chairman Dr. Yusuf expressed appreciation to the Minister for granting audience to the NPC delegation despite his tight schedule, describing the gesture as “a demonstration of his enduring commitment to national development, responsive governance, and public service.”
He commended the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for their pivotal roles in public enlightenment and mobilization efforts during preparations for the previously scheduled census.
Dr. Yusuf also applauded the contributions of government-owned media organizations under the Ministry’s supervision, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Voice of Nigeria (VON), and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for their professionalism and nationwide reach in amplifying census messages and fostering public trust.
“This collective effort clearly demonstrated how coordinated government communication can build trust, stimulate participation, and promote national ownership of vital public programmes,” he noted.
Dr. Yusuf assured the Minister that the Commission has remained operationally focused and technically prepared despite the postponement of the census.
According to him, the NPC continues to refine its processes and frameworks to ensure a transparent, efficient, and credible census once a new date is announced by the Federal Government.
Beyond census planning, Yusuf said the Commission is deepening the implementation of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system to ensure real-time registration of all births and deaths nationwide, a critical foundation for effective planning in health, education, and social development sectors.
He also called for sustained government media support in the form of dedicated airtime and coverage across official broadcast and digital platforms to strengthen public awareness of the Commission’s programmes.
Responding, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to fully support the NPC’s communication and advocacy efforts towards achieving a successful national census and implementation of other NPC activities.
He recalled that the Ministry plays a key role in the national census process through the National Publicity Committee, which he chairs, emphasizing that collaboration between both institutions is essential.
“Our partnership with the National Population Commission is key. We are only performing our duty. We do not even have an option. Let me put on record here that we are here to service you and we will service you. This is the mandate that we have as Ministry of Information and National Orientation, to be in the forefront of advocacy of government policies and programmes.”
”The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is ever ready to partner with you to ensure a very credible national census,” Malagi stated.
The Minister underscored the centrality of accurate data to national planning, noting that a credible census provides the foundation for effective governance and sustainable development.
“Data is key to whatever planning you intend to do. If you can’t measure, you can’t plan and if you can’t plan, the results are predictable. Therefore, census is not optional for us,” he said.
Malagi commended the NPC’s commitment to preparedness and transparency, assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will proclaim a new date for the census at an appropriate time in line with due process.
“We are waiting for the President’s proclamation, which is the basis for the legal and financial framework of the exercise,” the Minister added. “The Ministry and its agencies stand ready to provide full media and communication support once that announcement is made.”
Dr. Yusuf was accompanied on the visit by the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Osifo Tellson Ojogun, as well as Directors and Senior Technical Aides of the Commission.
