protecting integrity

Nigeria: Will delayed census override past controversies using new technology?

By Temitayo Lawal

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Posted on March 30, 2023 12:46

© 57 year-old Anthony Odili (R) gives his finger print after census counters (C and L) made the headcount of his family 21 March 2006, in Asaba, Delta State. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP) — 57 year-old Anthony Odili (R) gives his finger print after census counters (C and L) made the headcount of his family 21 March 2006, in Asaba, Delta State. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

Nigeria has pushed back its first national census in 17 years, from March to May. The government says it was forced to postpone the census on account of needing time to “tidy up things” in the aftermath of its elections, but vows to avoid past mistakes using digital technology.

The last census conducted in 2006 saw the population at just over 140 million. Given the national census is meant to be conducted every 10 years as per the UN, Nigeria’s current population remains a loose guess. The World Bank estimates that the population growth rate averaged 2.6% since 2006.

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