Commissioner speaks on postponement of 2023 census

By Uche Friday, Damaturu.

Mai Aliyu Muhammad, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Yobe state highlighted some of the constraints that led to the postponement 2023 population and housing census.

The Commissioner, who addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Damaturu mentioned insufficient funding, timing constraint as part of the factors.

“All our effort to secure funding for the long awaited census, significant challenges still exist that will undoubtedly compromise the conduct of a caliber of the first digital census in Nigeria as scheduled.

“The census timetable has been altered numerous times due to challenges faced by the government,” the commissioner added.

He pointed out that the United Nations Population FUND, UNFPA Nigeria, had consistently expessed concerns about the time constraint.

He said they further recommended for the postponement to allow NPC, with assistance from UNFPA to hold appropriate consultations and ensure readiness in all significant factors affecting the census date.

They, thus suggested delaying the census exercise to the Fourth quarter of 2023, he added.

Aliyu added that based on the advice of the technical partner May census was no longer feasible.

Because there was no enough time to prepare adequately to carry out the census without jeopardising the credibility, quality, and acceptability of the result.