The 2023 Population and Housing Census in Nigeria has been postponed following the approval of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. The census was initially scheduled for May 3rd to 7th, 2023, but has been rescheduled for a later date to be determined by the incoming administration.
The decision to postpone the census was made during a meeting between President Buhari and members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the 28th of April 2023.
The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, who signed the press statement released on Saturday morning said, "The meeting reiterated the critical need for the 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."
The statement further quoted Buhari as saying "appreciable progress had been made in the preparation for and implementation of the now postponed census," adding that the president assured that the incoming administration will be able to build on the work that has already been done.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra also lauded the president for his directives and support towards the conduct of the census. The implementation and completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of Nigeria, pre-tests, recruitment of ad hoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and ICT infrastructure were achieved in the course of the census's preparations.
Although no new scheduled date has been announced at the moment, the directive has been given that preparations for the census should continue in order to sustain the efforts and provide a basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements. The meeting was attended by 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 Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.
Share Your Thoughts