The imperative for a decennial population census in Nigeria has garnered substantial support from prominent civil society organizations, who view the proposed legislation as a crucial step towards effective national planning and development. This bill, championed by a member of the House of Representatives, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to mandate the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct a national population and housing census every ten years. This push comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s last census conducted in 2006, which placed the nation’s population at over 140 million. Despite previous administrations’ pledges and financial commitments, a subsequent census has yet to materialize, highlighting the urgency of enshrining this vital exercise in law. The current administration has also expressed its commitment to conducting a census to inform policy and resource allocation.
Civil society organizations championing this cause underscore the multifaceted benefits of a regular and reliable population count. They argue that accurate demographic data is fundamental to understanding and addressing the nation’s myriad challenges, ranging from escalating out-of-school children rates and malnutrition to inadequate healthcare access, housing shortages, unemployment, and insecurity. These issues, they contend, are exacerbated by rapid and unplanned population growth, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of demographic trends for effective policy formulation and implementation. Without a robust population database, Nigeria risks relying on outdated and inaccurate information, hindering its ability to address critical socio-economic needs.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the need for adequate resource allocation to ensure the census’s successful execution. He highlighted the “demographic nightmare” facing Nigeria, characterized by a confluence of interconnected challenges stemming from uncontrolled population growth. Rafsanjani lamented the nearly two-decade gap since the last census, arguing that this data deficit undermines effective policymaking. His call for prompt legislative action reflects the urgency of establishing a reliable mechanism for regular population counts.
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the Human and Environmental Developmental Agenda (HEDA), Olanrewaju Suraju, lauded the legislative initiative, drawing parallels with international best practices observed in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Brazil. He stressed the critical importance of accurate population data for planning, project design, and resource allocation, emphasizing that such information is indispensable for evidence-based decision-making. Suraju also cautioned against potential biases and complications, urging the NPC to prioritize transparency and credibility in the upcoming census exercise, slated for the following year.
Joe Okei-Odumakin, a prominent pro-democracy advocate and founder of Women Arise, added her voice to the chorus of support, highlighting the global standard of conducting a decennial census, in line with United Nations recommendations. This alignment with international best practices underscores the importance of regular population counts for effective governance and development planning. The collective endorsement from these civil society organizations signifies a growing consensus on the necessity of the proposed legislation.
The consistent message from these organizations is that a legally mandated, regularly conducted population census is not merely a statistical exercise but a fundamental pillar of good governance and national development. It is essential for evidence-based policymaking, effective resource allocation, and addressing the complex socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria. The proposed amendment to the Constitution, therefore, represents a significant step towards ensuring that the nation has the reliable demographic data it needs to plan for its future and improve the lives of its citizens. The urgency of this matter is underscored by the significant societal challenges linked to unchecked population growth, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address these interconnected issues. The call for transparency and credibility in the census process further highlights the importance of ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reflects the true demographic landscape of the nation.
