Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the country should conduct the 2023 population and housing census to promote national planning and development.
The minister recalled how it’s been 17 years since the country last conducted a census, as against the ten-year mandate.
Speaking at the inauguration of the population and housing national census publicity committee in Abuja, Lai Mohammed said: “As you are aware, Nigeria last held a population census in 2006. That’s about 17 years ago – almost an eternity when you consider. It is recommended that a national population census be held every 10 years.
“The conduct of the 2023 population and housing census is a top priority for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is borne out of the desire to bequeath an endearing legacy of evidence-based planning for sustainable development.
“Our population remains the most important equation in our national development. The people are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process, hence development must start and end with meeting the aspirations of the people for improved living standards.
“The conduct of the 2023 population and housing census is therefore to complement the giant Strides of government by laying a sustainable basis for a planned and prosperous Nigeria.
“The Federal Government notes with satisfaction and commendation the effort of the Commission to positively rewrite the history of the census in Nigeria through meticulous planning and massive deployment of technology at every stage of the national exercise.
The minister also revealed that plans are already in full gear to carry out a census this year.
“We are happy to note that the Commission is not only making efforts to conduct the 2023 census but also laying a solid foundation for the seamless conduct of future censuses,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to ensure absolute cooperation with the National Population Commission to deliver an error-free census.
He added: “The Enumeration Area Demarcation, which involves the division of the entire landmass of Nigeria into small enumeration areas that can be covered by a pair of enumerators, has been carried out meticulously and digitally. The products generated will be relevant for other planning purposes. All buildings and structures in the country have been captured and geo-coded.
“I, therefore urge all persons residing in Nigeria to extend maximum cooperation to the National Population Commission in its bid to deliver accurate and reliable demographic data for planning.”
