By: Sheikh (Dr.) Hussain Zakariyya Yawale, Islamic Scholar and Public Commentator, Abuja. In any democratic society, including Nigeria, unde...
By: Sheikh (Dr.) Hussain Zakariyya Yawale, Islamic Scholar and Public Commentator, Abuja.
In any democratic society, including Nigeria, understanding that a national census extends beyond merely counting the population is crucial. It serves as a pivotal tool for national planning and development. For Nigeria, a nation characterized by vast demographic variety and significant economic opportunities, the importance of conducting a precise and timely census is immeasurable. This essential process underpins efforts to plan effectively, allocate resources fairly, and foster a future where every Nigerian's needs are met.
The last national census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, about 18 years ago. Since then, the country's population dynamics have changed significantly. This article explores the imperative and significance of conducting a national census in Nigeria and humbly calls on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize this critical national exercise among his duties to earn credit for a long time ahead.
The Imperative of a National Census
A national census provides the foundation for effective governance and development. A credible census offers an accurate snapshot of the population, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions on all matters of national importance. In Nigeria, where regional and ethnic diversity is prominent, having accurate data is crucial for ensuring equitable resource distribution and representation across the three tiers of government.
I must express my gratitude to our National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for the timely inauguration of the 25-member security and logistic committee, demonstrating the government's irrevocable commitment to the national census project.
Conducting a national census at appropriate intervals, typically every 10 years, holds intrinsic value for any nation, serving as a cornerstone for effective governance, planning, and development. Its significance lies in the following vital areas:
Accurate Population Data: A census provides a precise snapshot of the population, including data on age, sex, occupation, education, and housing conditions, which are critical for understanding the demographic makeup of the country.
Informed Policy Making: Census data is indispensable for policymakers. It enables the creation of policies based on actual population needs and trends. For instance, understanding population growth and migration patterns helps in planning for future educational and healthcare facilities.
Economic Planning and Development: Reliable census data underpins economic strategies. It offers insights into the labor force, unemployment rates, and economic activities, which are crucial for creating policies that foster economic growth, attract investments, and create jobs.
Resource Allocation: An accurate census ensures equitable distribution of resources. Government funds, social services, and infrastructure projects can be allocated based on actual population data, ensuring that regions receive their fair share according to their population size and needs.
Improvement of Social Services: Census data highlights areas with inadequate services. Identifying regions lacking healthcare, education, or housing allows the government to target interventions effectively, improving overall social welfare and reducing inequalities.
Social Equity and Representation: A census ensures fair political and administrative representation. Data from the census is used to delineate electoral constituencies, ensuring that all regions have equitable representation in government structures based on their population.
Challenges of Outdated Data
Without regular censuses, countries face numerous challenges. Outdated population data leads to ineffective planning and decision-making, as policymakers rely on estimates that may not reflect current realities. This results in inefficient resource allocation, where regions may be underserved, exacerbating social and economic disparities.
Historical Context and Lessons
Reviewing Nigeria's history, both during and after colonial rule, illustrates the varying aims and outcomes of census exercises. Early censuses focused on administrative efficiency and tax collection, while later ones aimed at national development and resource management. Despite challenges, these censuses provided essential data that shaped Nigeria's developmental trajectory.
Urgency for a New Census
Given the significant demographic changes since the last census in 2006, there is an urgent need for a new census in Nigeria. Current data is outdated, impeding effective governance and development. Accurate and timely census data will help address the country’s pressing challenges, guiding sustainable development efforts.
Conducting a national census offers numerous significant benefits. Census data guides the formulation of policies that address the needs of the general population. It helps in understanding demographic trends, such as population growth, migration patterns, and age distribution, which are essential for planning in sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Reliable census data supports economic planning and development. It provides insights into the labor force, employment rates, and economic activities, helping to create targeted economic policies that drive growth and development. An accurate census ensures that resources are allocated fairly and efficiently. It aids in the distribution of government funds, social services, and infrastructure projects, ensuring that all regions receive their fair share based on their population size and needs. Census data informs the provision and enhancement of social services. It helps in identifying areas with insufficient healthcare, education, and housing, allowing the government to address these gaps effectively. Additionally, a census ensures fair representation in political and administrative structures. It provides data for delimiting electoral constituencies, ensuring that all areas have equitable representation based on their population.
Failure to conduct a credible census has significant drawbacks, making development extremely difficult if not impossible. In Nigeria today, the absence of current and reliable census data has contributed to several challenges and obstacles to meaningful development based on facts and figures. Outdated and obsolete population data hampers effective planning and decision-making. Policymakers rely on estimates that may not accurately reflect the reliable and dependable population dynamics. Inefficient distribution of resources and services due to a lack of accurate data leads to regions being underserved or inadequately provided with facilities or services, creating disparities and social tensions. Without accurate data, creating effective economic policies that can drive growth and development is challenging, leading to economic stagnation. Frequent disparities in resource distribution or public services may arouse and elicit enduring social discriminations, insecurity, terrorism, or banditry within long-marginalized and relegated regions of the nation.
Today, Nigeria is unfortunately engulfed in a series of perennial insecurity, sporadic kidnapping, and banditry, especially in the northeastern and western parts of the country. One may not be far from the truth if they attribute the immediate or remote causes to the inequitable distribution and administration of already meager resources. Nigeria has conducted several censuses both during the colonial and post-colonial periods. The censuses conducted during the colonial era were primarily for administrative efficiency and tax collection, while the post-colonial ones focused on national development, economic planning, and resource management. However, many of these censuses have faced multi-dimensional challenges, including political interferences and logistical issues.
I would not be surprised if the NSA took into perspective the most likely challenges in the offing when he said, “Most prominent is the issue of insecurity arising from banditry, kidnapping, armed conflicts, terrorism, insurgency, and other violent crimes which pose major challenges to the census.” However, with the administrative dexterity and caliber of his team, as well as the ad hoc staff of the current Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra, Mallam is confident that the census will become a successful investment. However, for this feat to be accomplished, there must be united collaboration and coordinated synergy by the various sub-committees to ensure the safe movement of personnel and materials before, during, and after the census across the country.
In essence, the need for a new census in Nigeria is very urgent and imperative. Since the country has undergone significant demographic changes since the last census in 2006, about 18 years ago, the current administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must prioritize the conduct of a national census to ensure effective governance and development. Accurate census data will provide the much-awaited data for addressing the country's pressing economic and political challenges in achieving meaningful sustainable development.
Finally, conducting an impartial national census in Nigeria is crucial for reducing insecurity, banditry, terrorism, and economic dissent. This is because accurate census data enables fair resource distribution, which can mitigate feelings of marginalization and reduce tensions among different communities. It supports evidence-based policy-making, allowing for targeted interventions that address specific regional needs, thereby reducing dissent and unrest. Reliable demographic data enhances the reduction of criminal activities and improves overall security. Economic development is facilitated by informing job creation programs and economic policies targeting underdeveloped regions, reducing redundancy and poverty. A transparent census fosters social integration and national unity by ensuring fair representation and resource distribution, reducing ethnic and regional tensions. Accurate data is vital for planning education and healthcare services, improving quality of life, and reducing grievances.
To ensure success, the census must be transparent and inclusive, using modern technology and involving political, traditional, and religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, in educating and sensitizing the populace before, during, and after the exercise. Independent oversight, public awareness campaigns, and the effective use of data in policymaking are essential. An impartial national census can thus help build a more cohesive, stable, and prosperous Nigeria by addressing the root causes of insecurity and socio-economic and political challenges.
In conclusion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with his charismatic leadership, must prioritize the conduct of a national census to ensure that Nigeria's development is based on accurate and up-to-date population data. This will not only enhance policy-making and resource allocation but also promote social equity and economic growth.
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