Nigeria To Conduct Maiden Digital Population Census In May

By John Ikani

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has disclosed that the Commission will conduct the maiden digital population census in May 2022.

Disclosing this after paying a courtesy visit to Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El -Rufai on Monday, Kwarra said the Commission was more than “ready to give the country a first ever digital census by May 2022.”

“We are ready to give the country the first-ever digital census by May 2022. We have the map data in our system, androids which, unlike the analogue era will make it very easy for a reliable and credible census,” he said.

While expressing optimism in President Muhammadu Buhari’s willingness to make a proclamation for the census soon, the Chairman assured that the Commission would hit the ground running immediately after the proclamation.

He also pledged the Commission’s capacity to tackle insecurity in all the states of the federation during the census exercise.

Speaking on his visit to Kaduna, Kwarra said he was in the state to create awareness of the forthcoming census and solicit the support of the government and the people of Kaduna State for the success of its activities.

“The commission has intensified efforts towards the forthcoming Population and Housing Census as we have already conducted Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise in 772 Local Government Area’s (LGA’s) across the 36 States and the FCT.

“The demarcation of the last two LGA’s will be completed in the next one month.

“In Kaduna state, only Birin Gwari LGA is remaining because of insecurity,” the NPC chairman said.

Responding, Governor El Rufai assured the Commission of the support and cooperation of the Government and the good people of Kaduna State to help ensure smooth conduct of the next census exercise, saying his doors are open for any support required.

What you should know:

It’s been about 16 years since Nigeria last conducted a national census.

However, stakeholders have dismissed fears that the time lag would not affect the integrity of reports.

Speaking on the issue in November 2021, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Identity and Population Matters, Senator Sahabi Yaú (APC/ Zamfara North) said: “Even if it is 20 years you are going to get the same figures of the population we have whether 30 or 50years the same figure that we are supposed to have is what we are going to get. The time lag does not make any difference.”

It is also worthwhile to note that the digital census scheduled for May comes at a time that activities have been set in motion ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

“They must have done their calculations and think that it is the best time. We are Nigerians, and we want to know our population and, therefore, we must try to see how we can conduct a peaceful census; and that is what we intend to do,” said Yau.