Newly Appointed NPC Chairman Duncan Pledges Unprecedented Transparency for Census, Vows Reliance on Digital Technology and GIS

The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Olakunle Duncan, has promised that the next national census will be conducted with unprecedented transparency, accuracy, and credibility to deliver reliable demographic data for Nigeria. The Chairman made the firm commitment, while formally assuming office at the NPC headquarters in Abuja, where he addressed commissioners and senior staff of the Commission. Hon. Duncan stated that his tenure would be centered on restoring public confidence in the census process, a critical exercise that has faced perpetual delays and credibility issues in past decades.

He outlined a clear strategy to achieve this goal, emphasizing that the Commission would fully harness the power of digital technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) for data collection and mapping. This technological approach is intended to produce a fully digital-based census, which he stressed would significantly minimize human interference and eliminate opportunities for manipulation.

The new Chairman acknowledged that the immediate priority of his leadership is to secure a definitive, achievable timeline and the necessary presidential approvals to officially commence the national census, which was postponed from its original 2023 schedule. Hon. Duncan concluded by emphasizing that his vision is to ensure the outcome of the next census is not only acceptable to all Nigerians but also serves as a robust and credible foundation for effective national planning and equitable resource allocation across all levels of government.