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2023 Census: NPC Kick-off Nationwide Census dress rehearsal

Published

3 years ago

June 27, 2022

Joel Ajayi

As part of the determination to have a better, accurate, and acceptable 2023 population and housing census in the country, the National Population Commission NPC on Monday commenced the trial census across the country.

The 12 days Census dress rehearsal will commence from 27th June to 8th July 2022, as 12 states were picked from 6 geo-Political zones include; Adamawa, Kastina, Nassarawa, Ogun, Anambra, and Bayelsa states.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja in a press briefing heralding the commencement of the Trial Census in preparation for the first fully digital census in Nigeria in April 2023, the Chairman of NPC Alhaji Nasir Isa kwarra, reiterated that the 2023 census will be transparent and acceptable to all Nigerians at the end of the whole exercise.

According to him, as you are aware, His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, acting on the advice of the National Council of State has graciously approved the conduct of the Trial Census for June 2022 and the next Population and Housing Census in April 2023.

“This approval underscores the President’s commitment towards planned and sustainable development of the country. The President has by this singular action demonstrated his desire to place the welfare of the Nigerian people at the center of governance in Nigeria.

“Consequent upon this approval, the Commission has intensified preparatory activities deploying technological innovations on a massive scale to conduct a truly scientific census that will not only be accurate and reliable.

“As you are aware, the Commission has carried out the demarcation of the entire land mass of Nigeria into small Enumeration Areas that can be covered by a team of enumerators, and the first and second pretests to test the census instruments.

“The Trial census, which is also known as the “census dress rehearsal”, is another key preparatory activity for the Census. It is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This takes place as a matter of best practice about a year before the actual census data to assess the different scenarios that may be presented during the main census.

“In line with the approval of the Federal Government, the Trial Census will be conducted from 27th June to 30th July 2022.”

Giving the hints on the objective of the trial census, NPC Chairman said that: “the Trial census will test all aspects of census operations, from planning to implementation including logistics arrangement and management, questionnaire design and format, training procedures, fieldwork operations, publicity, payment system, data processing, data tabulations, and analysis.

“For this Trial Census, the specific objectives are: Assess the quality and the usefulness of the Enumeration Area (EA) maps that had been created,

“Determine the possible demographic as well as geographical changes that might have occurred in the EAs carved between 2016-2018 and their implications for census taking.

“Determine the feasibility of uploading EA maps on the census app for house numbering and household listing as well as population enumeration.

“Also, to determine the correlation between EAD estimated population and the pre-test enumerated population; Determine the requisite educational qualification for the 2023 census’ enumerators,

“Determine the appropriateness of the estimated workload on the enumerators and it will determine the necessary logistics support that might be required from the states and LGAs.”

Speaking on the coverage trial census, Hon Kwarra said; “being a sample exercise, the Trial Census will only be conducted in selected areas. It will be covered as follows:

“One Local Government Area will be fully covered in One LGA in One State in each of the six geo political zones and one supervisory area in 3 LGAs in each of the three senatorial districts in the remaining 30 states and the FCT.

“The six local government areas which will be fully enumerated are as follows: Toungo Local Government Area, Adamawa State – North East; Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, North West; Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, North Central; Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Ogun State, southwest; Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, southeast; Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, South-South.

“In total, Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighteen (7,718) EAs have been selected for the Trial Census to test run suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Trial Census is not the actual enumeration of persons for the 2023 Population and Housing Census. In other words, the outcome of the Trial Census will not form the basis of the 2023 Census. Data generated during the Trial Census will not be used to arrive at figures for the 2023 Census, which is going to be zero-based and from information collected in April 2023.”

However, he applauded the support of the media for always disseminating information and Educating reports as well as in-depth reports on census preparatory activities which have placed the 2023 Census at the center of national discourse as well as mobilizing Nigerians for its successful conduct.

“As the Commission takes the next crucial steps towards the 2023 Census, the Commission will continue to count on the collaboration and partnership of the Nigerian media.”

He, therefore, appeals to all strategic partners to join hands with the Commission in realizing the dream of providing the needed demographic data that will facilitate and place our country on the pedestal of sustainable development.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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