The National Population Commission is an independent and autonomous body which is not to be subjected to the direction or control of any other authority or person, in the performance of its functions.
According to the Act that established the commission, National Population Commission is an independent and autonomous body saddled with the responsibility to conduct regular censuses and also to provide for the composition of the Commission, tenure of office of members and other related matters.
In this article we would be looking at What Is National Population Commission AND It’s Function.
Functions of the National Population Commission
- Undertake the enumeration of the population of Nigeria periodically, through censuses, sample surveys or otherwise
- Establish and maintain a machinery for continuous and universal registration of births and deaths, throughout the Federation
- Prepare and maintain a national framework, including locality list and house numbering, for the delineation exercise for census and sample surveys in each local government area in Nigeria;
- Collect, collate and publish data on migration statistics
- Research and monitor the national population policy and set up a national population information data bank
- Arrange for the appointment and training of enumerators and all other categories of staff of the Commission;
- Provide information and data on the population for purposes of facilitating national planning and economic development;
- Advise the President on population matters
- Disseminate information and educate the general public about the functions of the Commission under this ActManaging Nigeria’s Population
The National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development outlines a multi-sectoral strategy for the challenges posed by rapid population growth. The policy strives to inform all stakeholders about the linkage s between population and developmental issues like housing, health, education, agriculture, food, economy, energy, environment, transportation, security, employment, urbanization and so forth. This in effect means the effect of population on the well being and quality of life of all Nigerians. The policy states that “To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, Nigeria shall promote appropriate policies including population-related policies, to meet the needs of current generations, without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs“.
Principles
The guiding principles of the National policy on Population for Sustainable Development are in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides the Nigerians are entitled to all rights, privileges and provisions that should enhance their full and equal participation in all national development efforts.
To this end, therefore, Government at all levels shall ensure that all individuals are given the opportunity to make the most of their potentials. Government shall thus recognize and support the special needs of the children, youth, women and men, including the elderly and the disabled.
- The Specific Goals
- To achieve sustained economic growth, poverty eradication, protection of the environment and provision of quality of social services.
- To achieve a balance between population growth rate and available resources.
- To improve the productive health of all Nigerians at every stage of the life cycle.
- To accelerate the response to HIV/AIDS epidemics and other related health issues.
- To achieve a balanced and integrated urban and rural development.
Achieving these will also support Nigeria ‘s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Effective management of the National Population Programme is a national priority which demands the commitment, cooperation, collaboration and support of all the stakeholders, including the political and opinion leaders, policy makers in government and private sectors, Non- governmental and Civil Society groups, donor/development partners, community leaders and community-based organizations, traditional religious leaders, mass media and the general public.
Mission
To be the leading demographic agency in Africa, meeting the data needs of all end-users and ensuring a robust population quality for national transformation.
Vision
To become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in Nigeria
I hope you find this article helpful as well as interesting.
