In a meeting with members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, originally scheduled for 3-7 May 2023. The new date will be determined by the incoming administration.
The decision was reached after the meeting emphasized the crucial need for the Census, which has not been conducted for 17 years, to collect updated data to improve the living standards of Nigerians and drive the country’s developmental goals. Despite the significant progress made, including the completion of Enumeration Area Demarcation and the recruitment and training of adhoc workers, the President noted that the incoming administration should have the opportunity to consolidate on these achievements.
President Buhari commended the National Population Commission’s methodology, particularly the deployment of technology to ensure an accurate and reliable census. The Commission was directed to continue with preparations for the census to sustain the gains already recorded.
The meeting was attended by top government officials, including 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.
In a statement released by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on 29th April 2023, the decision to postpone the census was communicated to the public
