After 18 years, FG fixes date for census in Nigeria
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has announced that Nigeria’s long-overdue population census will finally take place in 2024.
Kwarra disclosed during the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held on Thursday in Abuja.
Read also: Court orders NPC to provide report on suspended 2023 census
It is worth noting that the United Nations recommends a population census be conducted by countries every ten years.
However, Nigeria last held a census in 2006, leaving the country without accurate population data for 18 years.
The census initially scheduled for 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was postponed twice before being cancelled. The previous administration justified the decision by stating that it wanted the incoming government to take ownership of the exercise.
Speaking on the matter, Kwarra emphasised that the delays in conducting a population and housing census have posed significant challenges for Nigeria.
He highlighted that accurate data is essential for informed decision-making and effective allocation of resources, particularly in underserved areas.
He said, “This gap in accurate population data poses challenges in tailoring reproductive health services and interventions to specific demographic groups, ultimately undermining progress toward reducing maternal mortality and improving access to family planning.”
He further stressed the importance of prioritising population data in addressing critical national issues.
“We are gathered in the spirit of a shared commitment to progress, inclusivity, and the empowerment of individuals, particularly women and young people. Our focus is on advancing sexual and reproductive health, eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and promoting equal opportunities for everyone in our nation.”
Kwarra also noted the broader implications of inadequate reproductive health services, saying, “We must continue our march to address these challenges head-on.
“For many in our communities—particularly women, girls, and young people—sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) remain out of reach. This is not just a health issue; it is also an issue of social and economic justice.
“When individuals are denied the ability to make choices about their health and lives, it limits their potential, reduces opportunities, and impacts society as a whole.”
Also speaking at the event, Toyin Saraki, the founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to advancing advocacy and policy initiatives.
She called for mobilising private, philanthropic, and multi-sector stakeholders to accelerate progress toward the ICPD agenda and its goals.
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