By Asmau Ahmad
The Nigeria’s Federal Government has target April 2023 to carry out the national population census, Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra said.
He stated that at the end of the virtual meeting of the Council of State, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja.
The last population and housing census in Nigeria took place in 2006.
The total population of Nigeria was estimated at 206.14 million people in 2020, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics.
According to the NPC, the national census will be carried out after the general elections, scheduled for February and March 2023.
Kwarra revealed that the commission would deploy high technology in carrying out the national census.
“The National Population Commission will carry out a Pilot Census in June this year, after the primary elections of the political parties. It is very crucial to conduct a census because it is a very important exercise for the nation.
“This is because through the census we generate the data that we use for policy making, planning, development, levels of government and the private sector, they all need it.
“If you are a private sector, you are producing something; Certainly, you need to know the population of an area if you want to create a market there.
“So, the census data is very crucial, very important. Because the data that we have been using is just projections, estimates. And they’re a little bit outdated, we need the actual census data to use in our planning.”
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, who also briefed correspondents on the outcome of the State Council meeting, revealed that President Buhari will meet security chiefs on Tuesday next week to discuss the current security situation. in the country.
He said the meeting followed the State’s recommendations and comments.
He said that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure that farmers across the country can carry out their activities without any impediment to boost food production throughout the country.
According to figures released by the NPC at the end of the 2006 census, Lagos state in the south was placed as the second most populous state with 9.0 million people.
In general, the 2006 census indicated that the North had a higher population than the South, with the northern states having 75 million people, while the southern states have 65 million inhabitants.
