Mr Onanuga maintained that state and local governments are saddled with the responsibility of pulling citizens out of poverty.
The minister said the shift was to enable for more training of personnel and procure digital equipment required for the census.
The governors alleged that the nonchalance of the regime further plunged Nigerians into poverty.
According to the minister, a recent survey has shown that the country’s poverty is mostly found in rural areas.
Nigeria and the French Development Agency (AFD) on Wednesday signed a grant of €25 million for the Northern Corridor Project to improve power supply.
The minister called for an end to male preference in families.
According to the stakeholders, integrated practitioners would be employed to refine for the nation.
