Nigeria plans to conduct a national census in 2025 to establish accurate demographic data crucial for planning and development. President Bola Tinubu emphasized the need for an accurate population count to effectively address issues like employment and agriculture. The census aims to incorporate biometric technology and digital resources, with a project cost estimated at N942 billion. Ensuring credibility and reliability in this exercise remains a priority, given the challenges faced in previous censuses.
Nigeria is facing an urgent need for an accurate national census, scheduled for 2025. President Bola Tinubu emphasized that without an accurate count, effective planning for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty remains impossible. Current estimates of the population, often claimed to be 220 million, rely on unreliable data. Historical efforts to gauge population size began with a 1866 census by British colonial authorities, followed by multiple censuses at various intervals up to 2006, when the last one was conducted.
The necessity of a national population and housing census is critical for various economic and social benefits, highlighted by the National Population Commission (NPC). Accurate census data aids in economic assessments, which in turn assist in government planning and resource allocation. Furthermore, census data helps identify special populations needing assistance, design educational programs, and forecast business opportunities, enhancing tax revenues and disaster recovery planning.
Census figures also inform policy making in agriculture, security, healthcare needs, and social amenities distribution. Understanding demographics supports government initiatives in delivering basic resources and services, thereby improving citizens’ quality of life. Additionally, the census provides reliable data for formulating sustainable development policies and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
President Tinubu’s intention to conduct a new census after 19 years, with biometric and digital components, is a positive step. During a meeting on February 24, 2025, he stated plans to form a committee to align the census budget with governmental financial realities, including input from the National Identity Management Commission. This approach aims to incorporate advanced biometric features for identification during the census process.
Senator Abubakar Bagudu stressed the importance of census data for future planning. Collaborative efforts among identity agencies and data systems aim to optimize available resources for the census. NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra revealed the acquisition of 760,000 tablets for the census, although funding remains uncertain due to a freeze in international aid.
The previous administration sought to hold the census in 2023, a plan hindered by timing issues and proximity to elections, which historically complicate census credibility due to potential political interference. Thus, conducting the census in 2025 is imperative to avoid these complications as election preparations ramp up for 2027.
The projected cost for the 2025 census has risen to N942 billion from the previous estimate of N400 billion for 2023, raising concerns about budget padding. However, due to the economic situation, increased costs for imported goods may justify the budget increase. Delaying the census could lead to substantially higher costs in the future, risking the reliability of future efforts.
To fund this critical national exercise, resources could be allocated from the federation account, with states and local governments contributing as well. The census should prioritize credibility and reliability over mere cost-cutting, and past controversies show the need for an acceptable and transparent methodology. Engaging youth corps members as enumerators could be beneficial, provided the standards of the census are maintained.
The upcoming 2025 census in Nigeria is a crucial step for establishing reliable demographic and economic data. It promises to enhance government planning across various sectors and ensure that programs are effectively tailored to the population’s needs. The administration’s commitment to integrating advanced technology underscores the importance of accuracy in this exercise. Despite rising costs, funding strategies should focus on achieving a credible and reliable census to inform future development and policy-making efforts.
Original Source: punchng.com
