Nasir Kwarra, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), has announced plans to conduct Nigeria’s next Population and Housing Census in 2025, nearly two decades after the last census was held in 2006. He made this statement during the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which took place in Abuja on Thursday.

Kwarra highlighted the significant setback caused by the delayed census, noting that a reliable and accurate population count is essential for informed decision-making. He assured the public that the Nigerian government is fully committed to conducting the census in 2025, despite the delays that have occurred over the years. The last census took place in 2006, and according to the United Nations, countries are advised to carry out population censuses every 10 years. Nigeria had originally planned to hold the census in 2023, but the process was postponed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the intention of allowing the new government to oversee the operation.

Kwarra also stressed the detrimental impact that the delay has had on the country, particularly in terms of hindering the allocation of resources and formulating policies based on accurate demographic data. He noted that the lack of timely censuses has had a negative effect on key areas such as sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, and inclusivity, which remain unresolved in many rural and underserved communities.

In her remarks, Toyin Saraki, founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, pledged continued support for advancing the ICPD agenda and called for collaboration among private, philanthropic, and multi-sector stakeholders to fast-track progress towards achieving its goals.