By our correspondent

In a pivotal meeting that could reshape the future of Nigeria’s demographic and electoral landscape, the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have pledged to deepen collaboration ahead of the nation’s long-awaited Population and Housing Census.

The meeting, held at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, brought together two of Nigeria’s most critical public institutions. The NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, welcomed INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, accompanied by INEC National Commissioner Mr. Mohammed Haruna, for high-level talks centered on data integrity, biometric integration, and mutual institutional support.

At the heart of the discussion was the recent success of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise conducted by the NPC across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. Prof. Yakubu lauded the achievement, noting that the resulting digital enumeration area frame will be an invaluable asset for INEC in redefining electoral wards and constituencies post-census. “The geospatial data generated through the EAD will serve as a foundation for fair and accurate electoral delineation,” he emphasized.

Beyond boundary adjustments, the INEC Chairman also spotlighted the essential role of civil registration in electoral integrity. He stressed the need for seamless access to vital statistics—birth and death records—to ensure that the national voters’ register remains current and credible. In a forward-thinking proposal, Yakubu suggested the integration of the Voter Identification Number (VIN) into NPC’s electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, a move that could greatly assist in identifying and removing deceased individuals from the electoral roll.

In response, Hon. Kwarra reaffirmed NPC’s readiness to align closely with INEC, viewing the collaboration as a mutually beneficial partnership. He expressed optimism that INEC’s experience in biometric capturing, logistics, and field operations could significantly enhance the NPC’s preparedness for the upcoming census. “The census is not just about counting people; it’s about planning effectively for our future. And that future includes better elections,” he remarked.

Both agencies agreed that their collaboration marks a turning point in the use of population data to support democratic processes in Nigeria. The synergy between accurate census data and electoral planning, they said, could lead to more equitable representation and more transparent elections.

Also present at the meeting were senior NPC officials, including Barr. Mrs. Saidat Olayinka Oladunjoye (Federal Commissioner for Lagos State), Dr. Clifford Zirra (Federal Commissioner for Adamawa State), Hon. Yori Afolabi (Federal Commissioner for Kogi State), Dr. Inuwa Jalingo (Director of Census), and Mrs. Nkechi Odeh (Director of Cartography), alongside a team of technical experts.

The meeting concluded on a note of shared commitment, with both commissions agreeing to establish working groups that will facilitate ongoing technical exchange and logistical cooperation. As Nigeria prepares for its first digital census and continues refining its electoral framework, the collaboration between NPC and INEC stands as a model for institutional synergy in governance.