The National Population Commission (NPC) has on Monday announced that it will conduct a general census exercise this year, assuring an accurate, reliable, and credible exercise. In a statement, the Chairman, NPC, Mr. Nasir Kwarra made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the workshop on Census Management Training for Chairman and Honourable Federal Commissioners in Karu, Nasarawa State. He assured Nigerians that the commission is committed to conducting a census exercise that meets international standards with results acceptable to Nigerians as no stone will be left unturned.
Kwarra explained that “If we are to align ourselves with the vision and mission statement of the Commission, whose vision is to become the population centre of excellence and the most responsive public institution in Nigeria and a mission to be the leading demographic agency in Africa, meeting the data needs of end-users and ensuring robust population quality for national transformation and global competitiveness, then, we must all work assiduously to achieve these goals.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure my fellow countrymen and women that the National Population Commission is irrevocably committed to positively rewriting the history of censuses in Nigeria and delivering to this great nation an accurate and reliable census that will be purposefully relevant in the drive towards sustainable development.
“Preparations for the 2022 Population and Housing Census are on course and the Commission is confident that the prospect for an accurate and reliable census appears brighter than ever.
“This optimism is rooted in the fact that the present Commission has taken time to identify and deliberate on issues that stalled past censuses and have resolved to avoid those pitfalls through the adoption of scientific planning and modern digital technology.
“This new approach will no doubt enhance the credibility of the process by eliminating double enumeration of respondents and improve the accuracy of the census result and the acceptability of the census outcome both locally and internationally.
“I am therefore appealing to Nigerians to join the Commission in the bid to give our dear country accurate and reliable data through the forthcoming census.”
On the date for the conduct of the 2022 Population and Housing Census in Nigeria, the NPC Chairman assured the census would definitely be conducted this year without revealing an actual date.
“I can assure you that a census will be conducted. For me to give any particular date, I cannot do that because the national leadership is still discussing the matter and they will let the nation know at the end of their deliberations.
“I can tell you that very soon, you will hear it from Mr. President himself.”