The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has disclosed that Nigeria’s belated census that was postponed during the former president Buhari last administration will be conducted next year 2025. Kwarra made the revelation in Abuja yesterday at the 2024 Anniversary on the Nairobi Summit on International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Recall that despite the United Nations recommending Population census to be hold in countries every 10 years, Nigeria last conducted its own in 2006, making the country 18 years without accurate figure of its citizens.
Although the country made an attempt to hold the census in 2023 during former president Buhari regime, the exercise failed due to unforeseen reasons after it has to be scheduled two times.
Buhari gave the reason for the cancellation as wanting the incoming administration that won the 2023 elections to own the census exercise and strategize it proper.
However, Kwarra during his speech revealed that major setback Nigeria had to deal with is the delay in conducting a population and housing census which is fundamental for informed decision-making.
He cited the reason for the delay in the exercise of the census, particularly in the face of logistical and financial constraints had hindered efforts to assess the full scope of population needs and allocate resources effectively, especially in rural and underserved areas.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Commenting on the exercise, founder of wellbeing Foundation Africa, Toying Saraki, expressed commitment to a continuous programme of advocacy and policy on a global and sub national scale to accelerate progress towards the ICPD agenda and mobilise private, philanthropic and multi-sector stakeholders towards the goal.