OGASTV NIGERIA · NATIONAL DESK
Policy Explained · Fact Check
Why Northern Leaders Are Pushing Back Ahead of 2027
Quick Summary
Nigeria hasn’t held a census since 2006, and plans for a new one under President Tinubu are drawing suspicion from Northern political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections. Critics question the census committee’s composition and timing; the government says accurate data is overdue for national planning.
The Story
Nigeria’s last census was in 2006. Attempts to conduct a fresh one in 2016, 2022, and 2023 were all postponed over funding, insecurity, and political timing.
In April 2025, Tinubu inaugurated an 8-member census committee. The Northern Elders Forum criticized its composition as skewed toward the South-West and called for it to be dissolved. Other Northern groups have separately questioned why a census is being pushed so close to the 2027 election cycle.
Government officials say the ₦12.78 billion allocated in the 2026 budget signals renewed commitment to finally closing Nigeria’s 20-year data gap.
Why This Matters
Census numbers determine electoral constituencies, federal allocations, and legislative seats. Any perception that the process favors one region over another threatens trust in the outcome before a single household is counted.
OgasTv Observation
Nigeria needs accurate population data — but a census conducted without broad regional trust risks becoming as controversial as the count itself. Inclusive committee representation from the outset would go a long way to defusing suspicion.
Different Views
Government’s Position
The census is overdue and essential for planning in health, education, security, and the economy; delay itself is the bigger risk.
Northern Critics’ Position
The committee’s composition and timing so close to 2027 raise fears the process could be used to reshape political representation.
Community Solutions
Rebalance committee representationPublish a transparent methodologyIndependent international observersSeparate census timeline from election calendar
Citizen Action
Follow official NPC updates onlyAvoid unverified regional population claimsParticipate when enumeration begins
Community Question
Should Nigeria’s census go ahead before 2027, or wait until after the elections?
Fact Check Status
🔍 PARTIALLY VERIFIED
The census delay, committee inauguration, and Northern Elders Forum’s objections are confirmed by multiple reports. OgasTv found no verified statement that the administration plans to specifically “count Northern Nigeria after 2027” — this framing is not supported by available sourcing and has been left out of this piece.
References
The Guardian Nigeria
TheCable
Vanguard News
Naija News
