It is twelve days before the national population and housing census commences. Unfortunately, the planned census has remained uncertain due to budget issues and other logistical difficulties, and there are signs that it may be shifted.

As it failed to acquire the necessary cash, it was learned on Friday that the National Population Commission might once more postpone the census. Budget and National Planning State Minister, Clem Agba indicated earlier this month that the Federal Government intended to create a basket fund to gather donations for the 2023 census of demography and housing.

In Abuja, he announced a high-level partner engagement to solicit support for the census. Agba indicated that the census would cost N869 billion, with the government committing N291.5 billion and an extra N327.2 billion needed.

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Agba also added that the census was to have been conducted sometime last year but was moved to March 2023, and then came to a recommendation that it holds in May.

He went further by stating that Nigeria had its last census in 2006. However, in 2014, the government on sit had proposed another census for 2016 following the UN recommendation for the decennial census.

“That administration, however, ended in 2015 without carrying out the wish. From 2015 to 2016, the country went into recession as a result of the crash in the production of oil and its price”. Minister Clem Agba said.

“In 2018/2019, the government was recommitted to the conduct of the census. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the plans for the census exercise. The census was scheduled for March 2023 but is now to hold in May 2023.

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Funds for the census were sent out in 2021/2022. The census was eventually shifted to hold between May 3 to May 5, 2023, meaning that it has been moved twice under the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)

Agba added that the United Nations Population Fund would manage the basket fund and provide the NPC with technical and financial support.

The minister made a plea to the private sector members to throw in support either by donating cash or offering to buy some of the materials needed for the census.