The 2023 national census, which was originally scheduled to take place from May 3-7, has been indefinitely postponed by the federal government. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who stated that the decision to postpone the census was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari after a meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission.
According to Mohammed, the incoming administration will determine if and when the census will be conducted. The statement released by the government read, "President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for 3-7 May 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration."
The decision to postpone the census comes after years of preparation, including the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, the conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of ad hoc workers, and the procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures.
Despite the progress made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, the government cited the critical need for up-to-date data to drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standards of the Nigerian people. The government 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 a world-class census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses.
In light of the decision to postpone the census, the government directed the National Population 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. The meeting was attended by the 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.
