Nigeria Postpones 2023 Census to Ensure Accurate and Reliable Data Collection

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, which was earlier scheduled for 3-7 May 2023. The new date for the census will be determined by the incoming administration. This decision was reached after a meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, which was last carried out 17 years ago, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people. The President noted that significant progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, including the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, the conduct of first and second pretests, recruitment and training of adhoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures.

The President also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct an accurate and reliable Census, especially the massive deployment of technology that is capable of delivering world-class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses. He directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.

The meeting was attended by some important personalities including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

A census is a crucial exercise for any country, as it provides essential data for policymakers to make informed decisions. It helps in planning and allocating resources, as well as in determining the number of representatives a region should have in government. Therefore, it is important that the census is carried out accurately and reliably to ensure that the data collected is credible and usable for the benefit of the country.

The decision to postpone the 2023 Population and Housing Census in Nigeria is a necessary one to ensure that the data collected is accurate and reliable. It is also commendable that the President has directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the census to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.