The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s continued failure to conduct a national census, warning that the lack of credible population data poses a serious threat to national security and undermines the country’s global credibility.
Speaking during an advocacy visit by Senator Abdul’Aziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, alongside representatives of the civil society group Yiaga Africa, General Musa lamented the absence of a reliable demographic database.
“We don’t know who the real Nigerians are,” the CDS declared, emphasizing that foundational issues such as the lack of census data and porous borders must be addressed if Nigeria is to strengthen internal security and be taken seriously on the global stage.
Drawing from his over three decades of military service, General Musa made a startling revelation: he has only been able to vote once. He linked this to broader systemic gaps in civic infrastructure, including unreliable voter registration and population tracking mechanisms.
He advocated for the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions to streamline census and voter registration processes, arguing that modern technology can drastically reduce the financial and logistical burdens traditionally associated with such national exercises.
General Musa also expressed deep concern over persistent voter apathy, describing it as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s democratic advancement. He asserted that boosting civic participation is crucial to fostering good governance, enhancing national security, and reducing crime.
On military financing, the CDS reaffirmed his full backing of the Armed Forces Trust Fund, calling it a pivotal move toward sustainable and consistent funding for Nigeria’s military. He stressed the need for a robust implementation framework to ensure the fund effectively improves operational readiness.
