Developing a Population Data Management Framework for the National Population Commission

The National Population Commission manages Nigeria's most comprehensive demographic data, yet its data management infrastructure and quality assurance processes require professionalisation to meet international statistical standards and support policy decisions. This study developed a population data management framework for NPopC, drawing on assessment of current data capture, storage, validation, and dissemination practices across five state NPopC offices in Lagos (SW), Enugu (SE), Bauchi (NE), Kogi (NC), and Zamfara (NW). A professional framework development methodology was applied, incorporating structured interviews with 20 NPopC staff at national and state levels, documentary review of NPopC operational procedures, and benchmarking against UNSD Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and Statistics South Africa's data management policy. Assessment revealed that digital data capture was present in only two of five assessed state offices, data validation protocols were absent in all five, and inter-state data harmonisation was conducted manually without standardised coding. The framework developed specifies a five-layer architecture: data collection standards, digital capture infrastructure, quality assurance protocols, metadata management, and open dissemination guidelines. Each layer includes key performance indicators and implementation timelines. Expert review by eight demography and official statistics specialists confirmed the framework's technical soundness. Recommendations include UNFPA technical assistance for framework pilot implementation in three states, NPopC-NBS data coordination committee activation, and digital infrastructure investment through the National Statistics Act implementation fund.

Keywords: population data management, NPopC, vital statistics, data quality, Nigeria