Dr. Amidu Tadese, the Federal Commissioner representing Osun State at the National Population Commission (NPC), stated that the population census in Nigeria is too sensitive to be conducted hastily. This comes after the Federal Government’s planned Population and Housing Census, initially scheduled for May 3-6, 2023, was postponed following last year’s general elections.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo over the weekend, Dr. Tadese emphasized that the integrity of the census would have been compromised given the controversies that typically surround such exercises.
He remarked, “The last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari attempted to conduct a census in 2023. It was clear that the timing was inappropriate, as the government was set to depart on May 29. The election had just taken place, and many issues were still being contested. Conducting a census at that time, with the usual complaints and disputes it brings, would have led to results that the majority of citizens would not accept.”
Dr. Tadese pointed to the 2006 census, where disagreements over figures led some states to conduct independent counts of their citizens. He praised the decision to suspend the 2023 census, allowing the new administration time to settle and address the underlying issues.
He concluded, “The then-president made the right call by postponing the census to ensure it can be conducted under more stable and acceptable conditions.”
