2023 Census: We’re Waiting for Tinubu’s Marching Order –Federal Commissioner

The National Population Commission (NPC) said it has put everything in place to conduct the 2023 population and housing census.

Clifford Zirra, NPC Federal Commissioner in Adamawa, disclosed that the commission now awaited instructions from President Bola Tinubu to start the exercise.

Zirra spoke on Wednesday in Yola during an interactive session with media executives on the status of preparations for the census.

According to the commissioner, President Tinubu was satisfied with the level of achievement recorded by the commission.

He said the census was a vital exercise that played a significant role in shaping the future of the nation.

“It provides us with accurate and up-to-date data about our population, which is indispensable for effective planning and development. The information collected during the census will serve as the foundation for policy formulation, resource allocation, and the implementation of various social and economic programmes,” he said.

Zirra further said: “The commission welcomes the decision of the Federal Government on the postponement of the conduct of the census in order to give the new administration the opportunity to have input in the census process.”

According to him, the postponement had also given the commission the opportunity to further perfect its processes and systems for the conduct of the first-ever digital census.

Zirra also disclosed that the commission had carried out all the necessary preparations, such as the Enumeration Area Demarcation, conduct of pre-tests and trial census, training of field staff, and the establishment of ICT infrastructure across the country, among other activities.

Alhaji Abubakar Hamma-Adama, Director of NPC in the state, appreciated the support and collaboration between the commission and media organisations in the state.

Hamma-Adama noted that “census will be successful only if there is good publicity and enlightenment.”