Despite over N200bn expenditure, FG silent on conduct of population census

Despite over N200 billion spent on preparations for the Population and Housing Census since 2014, the Federal Government has kept mute on the conduct of the postponed exercise.

The 2023 Census preparations had reached their peak earlier in the year, but the exercise, slated to commence on May 3, 2023, was postponed indefinitely by the erstwhile administration led by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the National Population Commission (NPC), the major decision to postpone the 2023 census exercise was to allow adequate participation from the incoming administration.

It said there was a need for the new administration to be abreast of the processes used in the collection of the census data.

But, five months after the new administration came on board, nothing has since been heard.

Nigeria is one of the countries in West Africa whose actual population is unknown and also bases its figures mostly on projections.

The last population and housing exercise was held in 2006, and since the exercise is conducted every ten years, Nigeria ought to have had its next census in 2016, but due to political will and funding, this did not happen.

By the end of 2023, this would have been due by seven years, and considering the preparations put in place, the FG may need to spend more on the exercise.

When contacted, NPC Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, said the Commission was still awaiting President Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation on the exercise.

“We have met with Mr. President and presented our proposal, so we are still waiting to hear from him,” he said.

When asked about the likelihood of the exercise in 2023, he ruled out the possibility, saying, “It is not possible.”

In any case, with the lack of comprehensive and detailed data on the country’s population, there will be inaccurate demographic, social, and economic growth indicators, which hamper policy implementation in Nigeria.

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