A population census may hold next year, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, hinted yesterday.
The NPC boss said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration may approve the conduct the population census, 19 years after the last exercise.
Kwarra gave the hint at this year’s anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) yesterday in Abuja.
The last census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, leaving an 18-year hiatus without updated demographic data, despite the United Nations (UN) recommendation for countries to conduct a census every decade.
Initially planned for 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the exercise was postponed to allow the incoming government to oversee the process effectively.
Kwarra highlighted the challenges posed by the prolonged delay, saying the lack of accurate population data has hindered effective resource allocation, particularly in underserved rural areas.
He said: “A major setback we face is the delay in conducting the population and housing census. A reliable and accurate census is crucial for informed decision-making, providing the necessary demographic and socioeconomic data for effective policy design, planning, and implementation.
“The delay, compounded by logistical and financial constraints, has hindered efforts to assess the full scope of population needs and allocate resources effectively, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“However, I must emphasise that the government is committed to conducting the census, and we believe it will take place next year.
