The process of nation building is incomplete without planning for the well being and prosperity of the citizens. For the planning process to be responsive to the aspirations of the people, it should entail the integration of demographic data. This is because the people are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Countries that occupy enviable positions on the global development ladder are those that have been able to harness vast human resources through careful planning and exploitation of their demographic conditions. It is in this critical area that the National Population Commission has made positive contribution to the nation building. The occasion of the commemoration of the 50th Independence anniversary of Nigeria provides us with the ample opportunity to take stock of what the nation has achieved in the area of collection, analysis and dissemination of demographic data as well as put in perspective the inevitable challenges. Nigeria has proved to the international community that we count ourselves accurately and produce reliable demographic data. Although a number of census were conducted before the country attained independence, the first post independent census in Nigeria in 1962 was cancelled. Then, it was emphasized that government amenities and parliamentary seats would be allocated on the basis of population size. Hence, when the result was released, it was rumoured that it had been inflated in some region. These controversies led to its cancellation. Another attempt was made in 1963. The Federal government accepted the results without reference to the regional governments. For this and other reasons, the result was contested in the Supreme Court. In 1973, another attempt was made by the Gowon Administration. This was later cancelled by the regime of General Murtala Muhammed due to the general belief that the figures were again inflated in some States.
In 1988, the national Population Commission was established through Decree 23 of 1988 to over-see the conduct of a credible census. In 1991 a more generally acceptable census was conducted. The planning and organization of the 1991 census showed remarkable improvement based on the elaborate delineation of the country into several enumeration areas. The present leadership which came on stream in October 2001 is headed by Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama. He is supported by 37 Federal Commissioners each representing a State of the Federation and the FCT. It was under this DISPENSATION that the 2006 population and Housing Census was conducted and accepted by the Federal Government. The Commission made a giant stride through the successful conduct of the 2006 exercise. The final results of the Census, which put the nation’s population at OVER 140 MILLION was widely commended by stakeholders. About 186 priority tables have been released on the population of Nigeria as well as housing characteristics and amenities. Two national seminars and six zonal seminars have been conducted in the six geo-political zones to ensure wider dissemination and utilization of the Census data. Apart from various publications which have been produced, more information and statistics of the country are now on the Commission’s website, www.population.gov.ng as well as the Commission’s geoportal, at geoportal.gov.ng. With this the Commission has confidently put behind it the ugly era of dearth of reliable demographic data for national planning and development. The commission has also initiated the continuous registration of births and deaths in the country. The conduct of specialized surveys is another core activity of the Commission. The Commission has conducted several surveys before and after the conduct of the 2006 Census to provide specific details on sample populations. It is currently conducting the internal migration survey, Nigerian Urban Reproductive health Initiative Survey and Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey. Through the efforts of the Commission, the prospect of planned and sustainable development in the country is now brighter. As the nation marks its 50th Independence anniversary, the leadership of the Commission is inspired to be more committed to the collection of reliable data. With better funding from the government to support its activities, the Commission will no doubt provide all the required data for Nigerians to attain greater heights in all areas of our national endeavour in the years ahead.
Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary
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