The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, has announced that Nigeria will conduct its long-anticipated population and housing census in 2025.
This announcement comes nearly two decades after the last census in 2006, a significant departure from the internationally recommended practice of decennial population counts.
Kwarra made this revelation on Thursday during the 2024 anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Abuja.
“A major setback that we face is the delay in conducting a Population and Housing Census. A reliable and accurate census is fundamental for good decision-making,” Kwarra stated.
He assured stakeholders that the government is fully committed to the process, saying, “The government, at the highest level, is committed to conducting a census, and we believe it will take place next year.”
The delay in conducting the census, initially scheduled for 2023, was attributed to a decision by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to allow the incoming government to oversee the process. The upcoming exercise will be the first in 18 years.
Kwarra highlighted the implications of not having up-to-date population data. “The inability to conduct timely censuses has hindered progress in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, eliminating gender-based violence, and promoting inclusivity,” he explained.
He emphasized how inadequate data affects underserved and rural communities, particularly women, girls, and young people. “For many in our communities—particularly women, girls, and young people—sexual and reproductive health rights remain out of reach. This is not just a health issue; it is also an issue of social and economic justice. When individuals are denied the ability to make choices about their health and lives, it limits their potential, reduces opportunities, and impacts society as a whole,” Kwarra added.
The event saw participation from key stakeholders, including Toyin Saraki, founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa. Saraki reiterated her commitment to advocating for policies that advance the ICPD agenda and called for collaborative efforts across various sectors.
“We must continue our march to address these challenges head-on,” she said. “I call on all stakeholders to work together in accelerating progress toward achieving the initiative’s goals.”
The planned 2025 census is expected to address data gaps and provide reliable statistics for guiding government policies and promoting sustainable development. With this initiative, the government aims to reestablish a regular census cycle and align Nigeria with global demographic data collection standards.
Kwarra noted, “This effort will enable us to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and tackle pressing challenges, particularly in underserved areas.”
