In Abuja, at a high-level partner engagement, the federal government stated that more than N869 billion would be required to carry out the population and housing census in 2023. Clement Agba, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, revelated this and confirmed that the federal government had supplied 46% of the budget. According to him, there is still a deficit of N327.2 billion in funding required to carry out the census successfully, which amounts to about 709.9 million US dollars.
He added that the figures sound huge when one hears them. Globally comparable censuses typically cost between $4 and $6. On the other hand, the average cost per person in the United States is $16. About $10 is spent on each person in Botswana. Therefore one will agree that Nigeria’s $6 per person is rather reasonable. The government has already spent 291.5 billion naira, around $632 million, about 46% of what is needed to complete the census. This time, in addition to the population count, a housing census will also be conducted.
Nigeria’s last census was carried out in 2006, about two decades ago.
Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, stated in her remark that conducting a census had become necessary after nearly two decades had passed since the previous one was done in 2006. According to Ahmed, this will assist the country in its planning for future development, as well as providing reliable data for a variety of sectors as well as for investment purposes. This March will mark 17 years since Nigeria’s previous national census.
Following the United Nations standards, Every ten years, a population and housing census is required to be carried out. The predetermined time frame enables the government to accurately record demographic changes, the age distribution, and the mobility of the population for the purpose of aligning public policy, as well as for making decisions about investments and passing laws. As it has been almost two decades since the last one, she argued, it is now more important than ever for Nigeria to undertake another census as outlined in the national development plan for 2021–2025.
The UNFPA will assist in effectively carrying out the census.
According to the minister, a nationwide census that will give insight and precise figures of Nigeria’s population would be carried out with the assistance of appropriate organizations like the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) to ensure the swift and effective coordination of the activities. She stated that the operation would make considerable use of digital technology in order to produce results that were trustworthy, reliable, and acceptable, as the results would be necessary for making economic decisions.
Moreso, the UNFPA’s resident representative, Ulla Mueller, advocates for support for the country and affirms that the rising population is not a problem since it could create new possibilities. According to Mueller, there will probably be 450 million people living in Nigeria by the year 2050. He also stated that the country has the ability to choose to have 450 million strong citizens who are educated and polite and who are mindful of the potential and opportunities that a well-mannered population gives to this country. Or they could be 450 million people who are blind and base their decisions on ignorance.
Changes in government and other factors delayed the census activities.
Lastly, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning said the government hadn’t taken a census in nearly two decades due to factors like the change in government, the economic downturn, and COVID-19. He reassured the public that the census would be conducted digitally, sustainably, and radically changing how data is collected and analyzed. However, he noted that a significant obstacle to the project remained in the form of funding and concerns about privacy and cultural sensitivity. He said the government needs financial and in-kind donations to pay for items like tablets for enumerators, data connections, and training.
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Nigeria needs N869bn to conduct census. – 46% of the budget has been provided, with an outstanding of N327.2 billion. – Express your point of view.
That’s quite outrageous. Nigerians believe the government purposely scale up budget for corrupt intentions. Same way so much was budgeted for the presidential election, yet it was a horrible election
They are always needing money. All the ones they gave spent, they haven’t been able to account for them. It is so unfortunate in Nigeria that we lack accountability.
Since this year census will be conducted with technology tools which is the first ever in Nigeria government should make sure the agency is provided with adequate fund so as to make sure it goes successfully.
The Federal Government announced, during a high-level partner engagement, that in order to carry out the population and housing census that is scheduled to take place in 2023.
When almost two decades had gone since the last census, which was carried out in 2006, it was clear that another one was need to be carried out.
This moment approximately, in addition to counting the number of people living in the area, a housing census will also be carried out.
Donations, both monetary and in-kind, are required by the government in order to cover the costs of things like tablets for census takers, data connections, and training.
This will aid the nation’s long-term growth plans and provide trustworthy information for a wide range of industries and investment opportunities.
It is of the utmost importance that Nigeria conducts another census in accordance with the guidelines set in the national development plan.
At roughly the same time as the population count, a housing census will be conducted to get a more complete picture of the community’s composition.
N869bn for what?…Interesting!
Truthfully, this is pure corruption. Any loophole to embezzle, we’re already calculating in billions. Gov’t are just using formats. Are they going to be accountable for the so amount needed, if called out?
46% of the budget has been provided, with an outstanding of N327.2 billion. That is over much, please what are they conduct that requires this so much money. Am not in support of this census. Nigeria is owing so much, Nigeria is lack behind in all aspect and they are talking about census. Abeg make government park well Biko. Nonsense
A huge money is needed for the commencement of census since this census will b quite different technology will be used this time to make sure adequate data is recorded
It’s crucial too have a database of number of citizens for adequate planning for everyone. However, the budget seem outrageous
Of course judging by other countries cost of conducting a successful population census we could say the amount of money budgeted for population census in Nigeria is not outrageous. I hope for a successful conduction of the process.
Carrying out population census of a country is of significant important because it determines the next ten years of the country and help them to plan towards it. The #869billion for the population census is not much in comparison to other countries.