President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 population and housing census to a date that will be determined by the incoming administration.
This was contained in a press statement released on Saturday and signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
The census, was earlier scheduled for 3rd to 7th May 2023. The last census in Nigeria was conducted 17 years ago.
Buhari approved the postponement on Friday, following a meeting with Nasir Isa-Kwarra, the Chairman of the National Population Commission and the AGF, the Finance minister and some other members of the Federal Executive Council at the presidential villa, Abuja, according to the press release.
“In arriving at the decision to postpone the Census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last Census, 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 statement said.
“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, the conduct of first and second pre-tests, the recruitment and training of ad hoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census,” the press release read in part.
“He also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct 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.”
“The President further 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 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.” The statement reads
Recall that the National Population Commission (NPC) had 2022 said it will recruit 25 million ad-hoc staff for the 2023 population census exercise.
The NPC subsequently announced March 23 as the date for the Census but it was later shifted to May due to the 2023 elections.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
