The National Population Commission (NPC) on Saturday, April 29, gave reasons for the postponement of the 2023 population and housing census, saying that it is to achieve a successful conduct of the excercise.
The Director, Public Affairs Unit of the Commission, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, who spoke on the postponement, also said that the excercise is to show the Commission’s commitment to reflecting its effectiveness in the activities of the incoming administration.
Dr. Yahaya debunked claims that inadequate preparation, improper funding and insecurity in the country contributed to the postponement of the census excercise.
It will be noted that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for May 3 to 7, 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration.
In a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the president reportedly gave the approval after 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 on Friday, April 28.
The meeting, according to the minister, reiterated the critical need for the conduct of the census, 17 years after the last one, to collect up-to-date data that would drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people, thus arriving at the decision to postpone it.
“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of adhoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructure, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
“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,” Alhaji Mohammed stated.
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.
