Nearly two decades since the last census was conducted in 2006, there are strong indications that the federal government is set to conduct Nigerians population and head count next year.
Speaking at the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi summit on international conference on population and development held in Abuja last week, the chairman National Population commission (NPC), Mr Nasir Kwarra said the major set back in the commission is the delay in conducting a population and housing census.
Mr Kwarra revealed that government at the highest level is committed to conducting a census which we believe will take place next year.
The announcement came 18 years after Nigeria’s last census in 2006 despite the United Nations recommendation for countries to conduct population counts every 10 years.
Previous attempts to hold the census in 2023 were prosponed under the administration of former president Buhari.
The delay was attributed to the desire to let the incoming administration take ownership of the process,adding that Nigeria’s inability to conduct timely censuses had hindered progress in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, eliminating gender based violence and promoting inclusivity.
