The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra has confirmed that the Federal Government of Nigeria will conduct the long-awaited census in 2025.
He confirmed this during the 2024 Anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held on Thursday in Abuja.
Though the United Nations recommends conducting population censuses every decade, Nigeria last conducted a census in 2006, resulting in an 18-year gap without accurate demographic data.
The census had been planned for in 2023, but was postponed after two missed deadlines under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his address, Kwarra emphasized that a significant challenge facing Nigeria is the delay in carrying out a population and housing census, which is essential for making informed decisions.
He pointed out that this postponement, compounded by logistical and financial challenges, has impeded efforts to understand the population’s needs fully and to allocate resources effectively, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
“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,” Kwarra noted in his speech.
A census provides a comprehensive picture of a society at a given time, and it has many benefits, including: Policy-making, Economic and social development, understanding the population, and comparing past and present data.
It is hoped that proper measures are put into place and the proposed census is not postponed again.
