Alfred Lahiri and Kamsi Anayo
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier planned from May 3-7 May, 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration.
The Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Abuja, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement on Saturday, said the President gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
He explained that the decision to postpone the Census, was in line with the meeting with the stakeholders stressing the critical need for the conduct of the population and Housing Census, after 17 years.
According to him, it was critical for the collection of the up-to-date data that would drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people.
“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of adhoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
“He also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct accurate and reliable Census, especially the massive deployment of technology that is capable of delivering world class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses” The Minister said.
Lai Mohammed added that the President further directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.
Those who attended the meeting were Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.
