Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population Commission, Senator Abdul Ningi, has described as disappointing that Nigeria has not conducted another population and housing census since 2006.
Ningi spoke yesterday at the 11th annual population lecture series 2023, organised by National Population Commission with the theme: “A decade of dialogue on population and development in Nigeria” held in Abuja.
He said, “Data is so important to the life of every nation, especially demographic data which is very vital and it is almost impossible to run your life activities without this data. So that informs us that at every given time, at every given opportunity, you as a person need to reflect on your own how many people are in your house and how to feed, cloth, educate and healthcare amenities.
“These are all in line with what we are trying to do in trying to make sure that we do not just estimate but we have at least accurate data. And it gives a better understanding of how we prepare for tomorrow and what you do to the teeming population that we have in Nigeria that have to go to school and what you do to the teeming population that needs healthcare especially women and children.
“All these information is so important and having been the committee chairman in the last two months or so I have no doubt in mind that National Population Commission have prepared so well to the extent that they are almost at the advance stage of holding this national census and what they lack this year is the political will to conduct this national census.
“It is very negative to say that the last time we had a census was in 2006. We are the largest country in Africa and we must understand that at every giving time the entire world looks at us as an African leader and the African countries look at us to lead the way. It is over 17 to 18 years now, we are almost just guessing, today no figure to render outside there as to how many actually are we. How many households do we have in this country?”
Earlier, the chairman NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, said this year’s theme, “APLS: A Decade of Dialogue on Nigeria’s Population and Development,” encapsulates a decade-long journey of constructive discourse, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts in understanding and addressing the nation’s demographic challenges.
He said over the years, the Annual Population Lecture Series has served as an invaluable platform to delve into the intricate tapestry of demographic dynamics that shape the society, adding that it has been instrumental in fostering informed dialogues, sparking innovative ideas, and catalyzing actions that contribute to the well-being and progress of our nation.