- Nigeria has announced plans to hold its Population and Housing Census in 2025, 18 years after the last count in 2006, ensuring accurate demographic data for better planning
- Nasir Kwarra, Chairman of the NPC, confirmed the country’s commitment to conducting a much-anticipated census in 2025, crucial for effective decision-making and resource allocation
- The failure to conduct timely censuses has affected concrete data on Nigeria’s huge population
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, has confirmed that Nigeria will conduct its long-awaited Population and Housing Census in 2025, almost two decades after the last census was held in 2006.
Kwarra made the announcement on Thursday, November 28, during the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which took place in Abuja.
“A major setback that we face is the delay in conducting a Population and Housing Census. A reliable and accurate census is fundamental for good decision-making,” Kwarra said.
He emphasised that the federal government is fully committed to conducting the census in 2025, which had been postponed several times in recent years.
The announcement comes 18 years after Nigeria’s previous census in 2006, despite the United Nations' recommendation that countries conduct such counts every 10 years.
Nigeria had initially planned to hold the census in 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, but the process was delayed to allow the incoming government to take ownership of the initiative.
Kwarra pointed out that the delay in conducting a census has had significant consequences, particularly for informed decision-making and effective resource allocation across the country.
He noted that Nigeria's failure to conduct timely censuses has hindered progress in addressing critical issues, such as improving sexual and reproductive health rights, eliminating gender-based violence, and promoting inclusivity, especially for women and young people.
“We are gathered in the spirit of a shared commitment to progress, inclusivity, and the empowerment of individuals, particularly women and young people,” Kwarra said.
He stressed that a reliable census would help the government better address challenges related to sexual and reproductive health and create more opportunities for marginalised groups.
“More harm than good”: NIMC’s 3-in-1 card announcement does not excite Nigerians
TheRadar earlier reported that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) proposed a three-in-one card which would be made available to citizens across the country between July and August this year.
This was disclosed by an official of the NIMC during an interview on Friday, June 21.
