The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced that the Commission is ready to conduct the National Population and Housing Census but is awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a specific date.
NPC Chairman, Isa Kwarra made this statement on Monday during a media conference in Abuja, held to mark the upcoming World Population Day on July 11, 2024.
This year’s celebration is themed “Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All”.
Kwarra highlighted the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to conduct a census every 10 years.
“I believe we will get it right. We are just waiting for the President to set the date, and the Commission is fully prepared to proceed once we have that declaration,” he said.
He emphasized the need for additional resources to recruit extra personnel to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive census.
“The resources should be able to recruit extra hands to help us conduct a robust census that will provide inclusive data that is not just verifiable, but will be acceptable by all.”
Kwarra also mentioned the possibility of extending the census period to April 2025, as per the 2020 round of census guidelines, but expressed a preference for carrying out the exercise in November, as initially planned.