The 2023 Population and Housing Census, which was originally planned to take place between May 3rd and May 7th, has been delayed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The census will now be rescheduled by the next administration at a later date.

According to a statement made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, President Buhari met with some members of the Federal Executive Council, as well as the Chairman and team of the National Population Commission, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on April 28th. The decision to postpone the census was made during this meeting, and it was emphasized that conducting a Population and Housing Census was crucial, as the last census was carried out 17 years ago. The census is necessary to gather current data that can drive the developmental objectives of the country and enhance the standard of living of Nigerians, as stated by Mohammed.

The President acknowledged that significant progress had been made in implementing the 2023 Population and Housing Census. He observed that the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country had been completed, first and second pretests had been conducted, ad-hoc workers had been recruited and trained, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures had been procured.

According to Mohammed, the President praised the National Population Commission for its methodology aimed at ensuring a precise and dependable census, with a particular emphasis on the extensive use of technology to conduct a first-rate census that establishes a solid foundation for future censuses. The Minister further stated that Buhari instructed the Commission to continue its preparations for the 2023 Population and Housing Census to maintain the progress already made and to serve as a foundation for the incoming administration to build upon.

Present at the meeting were several notable individuals, including Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture; Clem Agba, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, as well as Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.