The National Population Commission (NPC) has confirmed that Nigeria’s long-overdue national census will take place in 2025, addressing a critical data deficit that has hindered effective planning and resource allocation across the country.
NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, announced the decision on Thursday during the 2024 Anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Abuja.
Highlighting the impact of outdated data, Kwarra stated that the absence of an accurate population count since 2006 has posed significant challenges for national development, particularly in addressing the needs of underserved rural communities.
“This gap in accurate population data poses challenges in tailoring reproductive health services and interventions to specific demographic groups, undermining progress toward reducing maternal mortality and improving access to family planning,” he said.
The 2025 census will be Nigeria’s first in nearly two decades, deviating from the United Nations’ recommendation to conduct a census every 10 years. The exercise, initially planned for 2023, was postponed twice under the previous administration before being rescheduled by the current government.
Kwarra emphasized that accurate population data is essential for informed decision-making and the effective implementation of policies.
“The delay in conducting a population and housing census has been a major setback for Nigeria, affecting our ability to make evidence-based decisions,” he noted.
He also stressed the broader societal benefits of comprehensive population data.
“This census is part of our commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and progress. Accurate data is essential for advancing sexual and reproductive health, eliminating gender-based violence, and ensuring equal opportunities for all Nigerians, especially women and young people,” Kwarra added.
The census is expected to provide crucial insights for tackling socio-economic challenges, improving public service delivery, and fostering sustainable development across Nigeria.
