THE NEED FOR POPULATION CENSUS IN NIGERIA.

 THE NEED FOR POPULATION CENSUS IN NIGERIA.

Population census is not only the total headcount of a country’s population but it is the process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, publishing and disseminating demographic characteristics of a country at a specific time. Census data should include information on age, sex, family, marital status, economic activity and location.

United Nations (UN) recommends that a national census should be conducted at least every 10 years cause it helps reflect the population dynamics. Census data should be able to show changes in fertility, mortality and migration.

The information gotten from the population census helps for planning social, economic and infrastructural development, monitoring of government performance and budgeting.

Population census information is the foundation of all other surveys because they derive their sampling from the census data. The ability to provide information at the lower administrative level is the vital strength of a population census.

The history of census in Nigeria can be traced as far back as 1866 The first national census was conducted in 1952/1953 but was not held simultaneously throughout the country as it was originally planned. Despite of this shortcomings it was regarded as one of the best sources of demographic information in Nigeria. Several other population census has been conducted after.

The last census was held in 2006 and the result that census put the population of the country at 140.43 million persons comprising 71.3 million Male and 69.0 million Females. From 2006 till date is a long time not to have conducted another population census in Nigeria.

16 years after the 2006 population census, Nigeria the most populous black nation on earth and the most populous country in Africa, relies on previous figures and figures from different sources such as governmental, non- governmental organizations and agencies as a product of projection and estimates using international parameters provided by the world population funds and reports.

During the National stakeholder’s summit on the 2023 census, that’s was held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja. The president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari said “The country’s inability to conduct a population census in the last 16 years has created an information vacuum as the data from the last census conducted in 2006 has been rendered out of date for planning purposes.

“It has therefore become imperative for the nation to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socio-economic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development.

“Population is a critical factor in a nation’s efforts toward achieving sustainable development. People are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Knowledge of the national population in terms of size, distribution and socio-economic characteristics is required for planning purposes.

With a projected population of 216,783,381, President Buhari noted that Nigeria is the sixth most populous country in the world and the most populous country on the African continent.

He added that due to the rapidly growing nature of the population and large proportion of the youthful population, Nigeria is also projected to be the third most populous country in the World by the year 2050 after India and China.

The President also lamented that despite Nigeria’s high-ranking position on the global demographic map, her population censuses have been conducted irregularly and at intervals, longer than the United Nations recommended 10 years.

He said “This irregular and long interval of census taking in Nigeria, has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making.

President Buhari further argued that the nation requires a new data set to drive the implementation of the recently launched revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development and other government policies.

He also said the 2023 Census data is also needed to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country as it will give an overview of the population, where we are and who we are.

The urgent need for a accurate, reliable population data cannot be over emphasized as such figures are critical in decision making, resource allocation, planning and policy formulation. All data information from census helps in understanding a country’s number of ethnic groups, educational background, religion amongst other. National crisis could be properly addressed through national census.

The non- availability of a current and accurate national census in Nigeria will affect the right statistics for modern effective digital planning and development. It will also affect the effective distribution of the available but scarce resources in the country.

The need for a national population census in Nigeria is long overdue. Therefore, the need to conduct a national head count to address the country’s issues that are related to population, development agenda and distribution of needed critical Infrastructure in order and not just having the accurate population data.

President Buhari called for the support of stakeholders, which include State Governments, Local Government Councils, Traditional and Religious Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sectors, media, Development Partners, Donor Agencies and the general populace for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census.

The success of the census depends on several factors which include being independent with out political interference, technical expertise, good timing, huge financial and human resources. The national census is an expensive and labour-intensive statistical operation, which requires considerable planning and cooperation.

Osikomaiya Damilola