Delayed Census: Sensitive Equipment Going Obsolete

Sensitive equipment acquired by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the abandoned national headcount are running out of their lifespan with the federal government not indicating further interest in the exercise.

Before former President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled the planned census, his administration had spent N200 billion to acquire both sensitive and non-sensitive equipment, personnel training, stakeholder engagement, demarcation and data collection and collation.

Buhari’s reason was that holding a national census and general elections within a short period was not in the country’s best interest.

Consequently, he transferred the responsibility to the incoming administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which, after one year in office, has not made any significant statement on the exercise, or fixed a date for its conduct.

LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that the NPC had done a lot for the smooth conduct of the census, but its critical components had not been completed.

They include Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD). The entire country has been divided into enumeration areas using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to ensure precise coverage and systematic planning.

NPC officials from the National Population Commission (NPC), who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity, claimed that the census had not been abandoned.

They said the exercise is merely awaiting Tinubu’s approval, which is essential for its conduct.

One of the officials said, “Although we are still awaiting the president’s approval, the commission has been conducting in-house retraining to ensure we retain what we have learned. “Additionally, there have been stakeholder engagements aimed at reaching out to the president to advocate for the census. It’s important to note that the materials purchased for the exercise are time-sensitive; if stored for too long, some of the equipment may become unusable.”

In his recent speech commemorating World Population Day 2024, NPC chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra emphasised the importance of inclusive data. He said the data collected should account for everyone, regardless of location, ethnicity, sex, or age.

Kwarra said closing data gaps is crucial to avoiding inequality and ensuring informed decision-making.

Kwarra elaborated on the need for inclusive data, saying it is vital for building a resilient and equitable future.

When contacted on what Nigeria loses without an accurate census figure, a consultant and public health expert, Adedotun Amori, said census data are critical for effective governance, planning, resource allocation, and policy-making.

“Without an updated and accurate population figure, the government may face challenges in various critical areas, such as resource allocation, because census data determines the distribution of resources among states and local governments based on population size.

“Without an updated census, the allocation of funds for essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure may not accurately reflect the population’s needs in different parts of the country. This could lead to disparities in resource distribution and hinder equitable development,” Amori said.

According to him, census data is critical to economic planning where it used to assess the size and structure of the labour force, unemployment rates, and poverty levels.

“Without accurate population figures, policymakers may struggle to formulate effective economic policies, address employment challenges, or target poverty alleviation programmes.

“In conclusion, the non-conduct of a census in Nigeria could hamper effective governance, equitable resource allocation, and sustainable development. The government must prioritise the conduct of a timely and accurate census to provide the data needed for informed decision-making and inclusive development,” Amori said.