The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, has announced plans to hold Nigeria’s Population and Housing Census in 2025, marking nearly two decades since the last census in 2006.
Kwarra made the announcement during the 2024 commemoration of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Abuja on Thursday.
“A major setback we face is the delay in conducting a Population and Housing Census. A reliable and accurate census is fundamental for effective decision-making,” Kwarra said. “However, the government, at the highest level, is committed to conducting the census, which we believe will take place next year.”
The announcement comes 18 years after the previous census in 2006, despite the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to conduct censuses every 10 years. Efforts to organize the census in 2023 were postponed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the aim of allowing the incoming administration to take ownership of the process.
Kwarra highlighted the adverse effects of the delay, emphasizing its impact on informed decision-making, resource allocation, and addressing issues in underserved areas.
“We are committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health, eliminating gender-based violence, and promoting equal opportunities for all,” he said. “This is not just a health issue but also a matter of social and economic justice. When individuals are denied choices about their health and lives, it limits their potential and impacts society as a whole.”
In her address, Toyin Saraki, founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, pledged continued advocacy and policy support to advance the ICPD agenda. She called on private, philanthropic, and multi-sector stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating progress toward achieving these goals.
The NPC’s renewed focus on a comprehensive census is seen as a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s development challenges and promoting inclusivity across all sectors.
