Population commission denies plan to conduct census in 2025

The National Population Commission has denied plans to conduct Nigeria’s population and housing census in 2025, nearly two decades after the last census in 2006.

It was reported on Thursday that the commission’s chairman, Nasir Kwarra on Thursday during the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development held in Abuja said the postponed 2023 census will be held in 2025.

“A major setback that we face is the delay in conducting a Population and Housing Census. A reliable and accurate census is fundamental for good decision-making.

“But the government, at the highest level, is committed to conducting a census, and we believe it will take place next year,” he said.

However, in a statement issued by the commission’s acting Director, Public Affairs, Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba described the report as fake and added that the chairman’s remarks have been taken out of context by individuals seeking to mislead the public.

The statement reads; “The attention of National Population Commission (NPC) has been drawn to misleading reports circulating online, which falsely suggest that the Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, has announced that the next Population and Housing Census in Nigeria will take place in 2025.

“We wish to clarify that no official announcement regarding the date of the upcoming census has been made. The Chairman’s remarks have been taken out of context by individuals seeking to mislead the public and drive traffic to their sites rather than provide accurate information.

“To put the record straight, during a media interaction at the 30th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Abuja, the NPC Chairman addressed the pressing issue of significant data gaps in Nigeria that impede the tailoring of reproductive health services and interventions to specific demographic groups. He expressed hope that President Tinubu would issue a proclamation for the census date in the coming year.

“It is important to emphasize that while the NPC is constitutionally mandated to conduct censuses, it does not have the authority to set the date for the census. This power rests solely with the President of Nigeria, who is responsible for issuing the proclamation.

“Following the postponement of the census by the previous administration, the Commission has engaged with the presidency to determine a new date. As an organization committed to transparency and accuracy, we are currently in the preparatory stage for the upcoming census, and discussions regarding the timeline are actively ongoing. We urge the public to seek verified information from official NPC channels rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims.

“We call on the public and media to exercise caution and verify information before dissemination. For the latest updates, please visit the NPC’s official website and follow our social media channels.”

Nigeria is yet to conduct a census since 2006, despite the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to conduct population counts every 10 years.

Previous attempts to hold the census in 2023 were postponed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The delay was attributed to the desire to let the incoming administration take ownership of the process.