2023 population census will be accurate, acceptable by Nigerians, int'l communities---- Fed Commissioner

Dr Tony Aiyejina, Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) representing Edo State (on cap), Mr Ago Edegbai, NPC Edo State Director (second right) and others at a press briefing in Benin City on Tuesday.

By Editor 

Nov 8, 2023

 

As the 2023 National population and housing census approaches, Dr Tony Aiyejina, the Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) representing Edo State has assured that the commission will conduct accurate, credible, verifiable and  generally acceptable census by Nigerians and international communities.

Aiyejina gave the assurance on Tuesday at a press briefing with newsmen in Benin City.

The commissioner who said that census is geared towards generation of data for national planning and development by governments, noted that to avoid unnecessary controversies ,the commission decided to schedule the census immediately after the 2023 general elections.

According to him, " we have promised Nigerians and the international communities that the 2023 census will be qualitatively different from what had happened in the history of censuses in Nigeria, and that is why we are painstaking in all that we do.

"In spite of the very  economic challenges, the government at the federal level today has made it a point of priority and necessity that the future planning of this country must be on relevant data, not projections, assumptions generated outside this country.

Dr Tony Aiyejina, Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) representing Edo State (on cap), Mr Ago Edegbai, NPC Edo State Director (second right) and others at a press briefing in Benin City on Tuesday.

"We need to plan for our children born and unborn, hospital facilities, education (schools), even  the markets. How many markets will a state establish, where and when to establish it? This is the data we  want to throw up",he said.

"Mr president is magnanimous enough to release funds  for NPC to conduct  the 2023 census in spite of our  economic challenges and we cannot afford to fail.

"The last census in Nigeria was done in 2006.  Since then, government after government have come and gone. They gave one excuses or the other  why they cannot conduct census which every government need as a pool for planning.

"But this time around somebody say let me do it even if is going to be the only legacy to handle over to the next government, he will do it",he said. 

While pointing out that the census will be technology driven, he explained that with the technology  there will be no room for external interference in the outcome of the exercise.

He also explained that the exercise is devoid of any political colouration, noting that it is for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He, however, called on qualified Edo youths to take advantage of the ongoing  online recruitment to apply for  the various adhoc vacancies advertised by the commission.

He said the call became necessary to ensure that qualified personnel are recruited from the various communities to carry out a successful census exercise.

Aiyejina, who said the commission had successfully conducted a paperless, digital-based Enumeration  Area Demarcation (EAD) in the state, noted that all census processes are now based on digital platforms, technology and devices.

"In order to carry out the gigantic task of conducting accurate and reliable census, there is the need for the recruitment of manpower/personnel that will carry out the exercise.

"The need to be fair and transparent in the recruitment, has led the commission to introduce the online e-recruitment portal and train the officers that will superintend over this important census recruitment process", he added.