In the digital economy of the 21st century, data has become the foundation upon which technological innovation, economic competitiveness, and artificial intelligence (AI) are built. Nations that possess reliable data systems, accurate population statistics, digital infrastructure, and strong data governance are better positioned to harness the transformative power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Unfortunately, Nigeria faces a major structural challenge: the absence of reliable national data, particularly population statistics. Nigeria has not conducted a credible and widely accepted population census for nearly two decades, creating a fundamental gap in the country’s planning architecture.