ABUJA, Nigeria – President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the delay of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, originally set to take place between May 3 and 7.
The incoming administration will establish the revised timeline according to an announcement by the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
The approval came following discussions between President Buhari, the Federal Executive Council, and the National Population Commission’s (NPC) chairman, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, along with his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
The statement relayed, “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.”
Despite the deferral, significant strides have been made in the lead-up to the census. The President acknowledged the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation, execution of preliminary tests, recruitment and training of temporary workers, and procurement of Personal Digital Assistants, PDAs, and IT infrastructure as hallmarks of progress in the 2023 census’ planning stages.
President Buhari lauded the NPC’s methodology, which includes a substantial deployment of technology. “This is capable of delivering a world-class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses,” he noted.
The President urged the Commission to continue preparations for the 2023 Population and Housing Census, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the momentum already achieved. This would allow the forthcoming administration to build upon these accomplishments.
The meeting was attended by several top officials, including 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 State, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
