On May 8, 2024, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, hosted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja. Prof. Yakubu was accompanied by INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Haruna.
The high-level meeting aimed to deepen institutional collaboration ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming biometric Population and Housing Census and to bolster the credibility of the country’s electoral processes.
Prof. Yakubu commended the NPC for successfully executing the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) across all 774 local government areas, resulting in a comprehensive digital frame of Nigeria’s enumeration areas. He noted that the geospatial data from this exercise will be instrumental in INEC’s post-census delineation of electoral wards and constituencies, ensuring alignment with updated population quotas.
He also stressed the critical role of accurate civil data in maintaining a credible voter register. Prof. Yakubu called on the NPC to incorporate Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) into its electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. This integration, he said, would support efforts to identify and remove deceased individuals from the voter roll.
In his remarks, NPC Chairman Hon. Kwarra reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting INEC’s mission and expressed optimism about leveraging INEC’s logistical and technical expertise. He also appealed for INEC’s cooperation in the upcoming census, highlighting the mutual benefits of inter-agency collaboration.
The meeting underscored the strategic importance of synergy between both Commissions in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic processes. As part of the collaboration, INEC is expected to provide technical support to the NPC in areas such as biometric data capture, logistics, and resource deployment.
Also present at the meeting were key NPC officials including Federal Commissioners Barr. Mrs. Saidat Olayinka Oladunjoye (Lagos), Dr. Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Hon. Yori Afolabi (Kogi), along with Dr. Inuwa Jalingo, Director of Census; Mrs. Nkechi Odeh, Director of Cartography; and other senior technical staff.
The engagement marks a significant step toward ensuring a credible census and reinforcing Nigeria’s electoral architecture through data-driven planning and cooperation.