The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced a proposed timeline of November 2024 for the conduct of the Nigerian Population and Housing Census. The commission’s Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, revealed this at a press conference to mark the 2024 World Population Day, stating that the proposal is subject to the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NPC Chairman emphasized that the commission is 70 per cent ready to conduct the census, having made significant progress in preparation. He noted that the delay in conducting a national census has not hindered Nigeria’s ability to meet the United Nations’ 2020 Round of Population & Housing Censuses deadline.
Recall that Nigeria has not conducted a national census in over 18 years, with hopes of conducting one in 2023 being dashed by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cancellation at the twilight of his administration.
Kwarra expressed confidence that the commission is well-prepared for the task, citing the acquisition of over 760,000 digital data collection devices (PDAs) and digital maps for the census and other surveys. He highlighted that these assets have been purchased for over a year now and it is crucial to utilize them before their batteries go down.
According to Kwarra, completing the census will provide Nigeria with essential data to track every citizen in the country. The commission’s Statistician General, Adeyemi Adeniran, reiterated that accurate data from the census is vital for national development and addressing issues contributing to poverty.
The NPC Chairman’s announcement has sparked hopes that Nigeria will finally conduct a national census, providing long-awaited data on its population and demographic trends.
Join our Channel...