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Seventeen months into his administration, President Bola Tinubu has yet to announce a date for Nigeria’s much-anticipated National Population and Housing Census, causing growing concern among stakeholders over the potential impact on national planning and governance.
This delay follows the indefinite postponement of the 2023 census by former President Muhammadu Buhari, leaving the responsibility to Tinubu.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that despite expressing support for the census, Tinubu has not confirmed a new date, leaving stakeholders anxious about further delays’ implications.
The last census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, recording a population of 140 million. Since then, the country has relied on estimated figures for policy decisions, raising concerns about the accuracy of data used for resource allocation and representation.
Nasir Kwarra, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), disclosed that approximately N200 billion has already been spent on preparations, with the commission equipped with over 760,000 digital devices for the census. In July 2024, the NPC proposed November 2024 for the census but is still awaiting presidential approval.
Tinubu Yet To Announce Census Date 17 Months Into Administration
Speaking on the matter, a former Federal Commissioner at the NPC, Professor Jimoh Isah, emphasized that the commission is “99 per cent ready” and urged Tinubu to announce a date for the census. Political analyst Busari Dauda also criticized the delay, describing it as a sign of “unseriousness” on the part of the government.
Experts warn that further delays could result in wasted resources and impede crucial national planning efforts, making it imperative for the government to act promptly.
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