BY TONY OKAFOR
Senator Victor Umeh has once again proven himself a statesman whose legislative influence extends beyond his Anambra Central Senatorial District.
His recent call for the urgent conduct of a national population and housing census is not just timely—it is critical to Nigeria’s survival as a functioning, forward-moving nation.
At the launch of the 2025 State of the World Population Report, jointly organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Senator Umeh sounded the alarm that Nigeria is essentially flying blind.
Without up-to-date and accurate population data, national planning is not just flawed—it is fundamentally impossible.
The senator’s declaration that Nigeria is “groping in the dark” due to the absence of reliable census figures is not an exaggeration.
Since the last census in 2006, Nigeria has operated largely on guesswork, with population estimates ranging from 200 million to 230 million.
These are rough projections, not verified facts.
This lack of precise demographic information has left gaps in virtually every aspect of national development—from budgeting and infrastructure planning to security strategy, educational investment, healthcare deployment, and electoral boundary demarcation.
Every day that passes without a census, Nigeria continues to lose inestimable opportunities for structured growth.
We cannot allocate resources effectively when we don’t know where the people are and in what numbers.
We cannot plan schools, hospitals, housing, or social interventions when we are unsure who needs what, and where.
Investors and development partners require data to assess risk and market potential, and so does every serious government.
That Nigeria has gone nearly two decades without a national census is both unacceptable and dangerous.
Senator Umeh’s intervention at this moment—midway into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration—should be seen as more than a routine legislative comment.
It is a call to national action. It is a responsibility that should not be postponed or politicized.
The senator rightly assured that the National Assembly is “irrevocably committed” to ensuring that a census is conducted.
His resolve speaks to the kind of leadership the country needs—principled, pragmatic, and passionate about long-term national interests.
We also commend his mature position on the contentious issue of population control.
While some have suggested limiting the number of children Nigerian couples can have, Umeh strongly opposed such legislation, warning that it would be nearly impossible to enforce and socially disruptive.
Instead, he advocated for improved sex education, especially among adolescent girls, as a more realistic and culturally sensitive approach.
This balanced view reflects a depth of understanding and a respect for human rights that deserves recognition.
Senator Victor Umeh’s advocacy has set the stage.
The Federal Government must now act decisively. Conducting a credible national census should become a flagship priority of the Tinubu administration.
No meaningful development can happen in the absence of accurate population data. No nation grows sustainably in ignorance of its own numbers.
It is time for Nigeria to stop relying on projections and start working with facts.
The conduct of a national census is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is not just another government programme; it is the foundation upon which all others must rest.
Senator Umeh has spoken. The country must listen. Let the count begin—because to count our people is to finally take control of our destiny.
