NPC SEEKS CAN’S PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST CENSUS AND CIVIL REGISTRATION AWARENESS

NPC SEEKS CAN’S PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST CENSUS AND CIVIL REGISTRATION AWARENESS

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

The Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf has called for the collaboration of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in sensitizing the public on census participation, birth and death registration, and population education across Christian communities in the country.

Dr. Yusuf, made the appeal today, 19 February 2026, during a courtesy visit to the President of CAN, His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abuja. Dr. Yusuf led a delegation comprising the Acting Director-General, Mrs. Nkechi Odeh, several directors, and senior technical aides.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Yusuf said the call for partnership was driven by a shared sense of national responsibility to ensure accurate population data, which remains critical for national planning and development.

“It is therefore in this spirit of shared responsibility and national service that the NPC respectfully seeks CAN’s collaboration in amplifying advocacy on census awareness, birth registration, death registration, and broader population education across Christian communities nationwide,” he said.

The NPC Chairman emphasized that faith institutions, especially churches, hold a unique position of influence and trust within communities. He noted that through sermons, community engagements, and social programmes, churches can play a pivotal role in encouraging Nigerians to participate fully in the forthcoming Population and Housing Census and civil registration exercises.

“The Church’s close engagement with families at pivotal life moments, births, marriages, and bereavements, places it at the very heart of community life,” he said

Dr. Yusuf explained that a credible population census serves as a “statistical compass” guiding government decisions and investments in healthcare, education, housing, employment generation, and social protection. He noted that no nation can effectively plan for development without knowing the size, composition, and distribution of its population.

He further highlighted the complementary role of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, which ensures continuous and accurate recording of births and deaths. Birth registration, he said, affirms identity, secures nationality, and provides access to essential public services.

“When births are registered, children are not only welcomed into families and faith communities; they are acknowledged within the civic and legal framework of the nation. Visibility in national records is visibility in national planning,” he added.

In his remarks, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh welcomed the NPC delegation and commended the initiative to involve faith-based organizations in national development processes. He pledged CAN’s readiness to collaborate with the Commission in promoting accurate data collection and public enlightenment on census participation.

“Faith-based organizations are often the first point of contact for many Nigerians in need.

“Every day, the Church receives people seeking food, shelter, or comfort. It is, therefore, only natural that government partners with the Church to reach the grassroots and promote trust in national programmes,” Archbishop Okoh said.

The Archbishop urged the NPC to ensure that the forthcoming census is carried out with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

He recalled previous engagements between CAN and the NPC, particularly during past administrations, and stressed the need for sincerity and accuracy in data collection.

“As a Church, we are ready to work with you, but let us walk this path in honesty, transparency, and accountability to God and the Nigerian people,” he said.

Archbishop Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to supporting the NPC’s advocacy and outreach efforts, assuring that the association would use its wide network to dispel misconceptions about census exercises and encourage full participation among Christians.

The visit marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration between government institutions and faith-based organizations towards achieving a reliable and inclusive national census.