Nigeria postpones 2023 Census, updates citizenry on preparations for exercise

*President Muhammadu Buhari approves postponement of the planned May 3-7, 2023 Population and Housing Census, says a fresh date will be determined by the incoming administration in  Nigeria

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to ‘appreciable progress’ the Federal Government has recorded in preparations for the exercise in the country thus far, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

President Buhari gave the approval after a meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and his team Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, FCT.

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

ConsumerConnect reports a fresh date for the nationwide exercise, earlier scheduled to hold May 3-7, 2023, will now be determined by the incoming administration in  Nigeria.

In attendance at the meeting in Abuja are Mr. Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice; Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister for Information and Culture; Mr. Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning; and Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

In regard to the government’s decision to postpone this year’s Census, the meeting restated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years (2006) after the last Census.

It is also noted that the exercise will help Nigeria to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the West African country, and ultimately, improve the living standard of the people.

Update on preparations for 2023 Population and Housing Census, by Buhari

The Nigerian President disclosed with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of ad-hoc workers, as well as procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructure, the current administration has recorded some appreciable progress in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Buhari also applauded the methodology the regulatory Commission has introduced to conduct accurate and reliable Census.

He noted especially the NPC’s massive deployment of Information and Communications Technology tools, aimed at delivering world-class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses in Nigeria.

Buhari further directed the Commission to continue preparing for the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded.

According to him, doing so will offer the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements so far recorded.