The federal government has confirmed that the 2023 National Population and Housing Census will begin on May 3, 2023.
The information was given on Sunday in Abuja by Dr Garba Abari, a member of the Publicity and Advocacy Committee on the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.
Speaking at a press conference, Abari disclosed that the three-day exercise would commence on May 3 and end on May 5 across the nation.
He elaborated that every person, household and structure would be captured during the exercise for national planning and project execution purposes.
Abari revealed that the shift in the date is a result of the postponement of the 2023 gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“That change by INEC made it mandatory for us to also adjust the date for the conduct of the exercise,” he noted.
“The census had to be put forward from the initial date of March 29 to April 2nd, now to May 3rd to 5th.
“There are two things that informed the shift in date. First, in the cause of our planning by the National Population Commission, it was so factored that INEC will also tinker with its own electoral timetable.
“The gubernatorial election as you are aware had to be shifted by one week.
“And this also has telling effects on the date of commencement of the census.
“Just like the election, the Census is also a very long process like the training, the sub-trainings, retraining leading till the very day of the actual house listing and numbering will commence and then the actual capture of the population will now take place.
“So, these actually are the things we are looking forward to in the preparations for the national census”, he added.
Speaking further, Abari gave an assurance that the country is ready to undergo the process, describing the census as a significant event that would aid in the national planning and execution of developmental projects.
He stated that the census is vital because it is meant for development, planning, security, infrastructure development, educational, health and other demographic considerations all encapsulated in one.
