Buhari approves postponement of 2023 census

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has consented to the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for May 3-7 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration.

Buhari approved after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)/and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, April 28, 2023.

This amongst many other issues discussed at the FEC meeting is contained in the press announcement signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and released Saturday, 29th April 2023.

Parts of the statement read, “In deciding to postpone the census,” the statement says, “the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last census, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people.”

Lai cited Buhari as saying that noticeable progress had been made in the preparation for and implementation of the now postponed census, adding that the President commended the procedure being put in place by the NPC to carry out an accurate and trustworthy census.

“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, the conduct of first and second pre-tests, the recruitment and training of ad hoc 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-classCensus and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses.”

The statement added, “The President further directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census 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,” the statement ended.