The Federal Government of Nigeria has postponed the population and housing census earlier scheduled for 29 March 2023 to May 2023.
During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held today, Wednesday in Abuja which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement for the postponement of the subject was made known by Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
Lai Mohammed said that the decision for the postponement is necessary because of the rescheduling of the gubernatorial election to 18 March 2023.
The Honorable Minister also disclosed that the council has approved the sum of N2.8 billion for the National Population Commission (NPC) to procure software to be used for the conduct of the census.
Lai Mohammed's statement read in part:
“There was a memo presented by the National Population Commission, seeking some software to allow them to conduct the census in May this year. I believe because of the rescheduling of the elections, they cannot commence the census as scheduled,” the minister said.
“They sought Council’s approval for a contract to procure software for the census at the sum of N2.8 billion.”