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Enhancing The Acceptability Of The 2022 Population And Housing Census Through Publicity And Advocacy

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3 years ago

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By Stanley O. Nwosu

“Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let the people know you are doing the right thing” John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937).

This statement by American business magnate and philanthropist aptly captures the significant role of communication not only in public service but in every aspect of human endeavor. Human relation is a very complex phenomenon in which even the simplest of action is subject to several and sometimes negative interpretations due to inadequate or lack of information or distortion of the essence and rationale for such action. Most often, the ways a particular action is perceived, is coloured by prejudices, level of comprehension and self-interest of affected persons. The role of communication therefore is to set the records straight, tell the true story and bridge the gap between the facts and perception. Indeed, a seemingly bad decision may be better tolerated if it is properly communicated and its essence explained than supposedly good decision that is shrouded in secrecy. Therefore, publicity and advocacy are veritable tools to educate and sensitize the public about the conduct of the 2022 Population and Housing Census as well as cultivate public ownership of the exercise which enhance the acceptability of the census data. The significance of publicity and advocacy in the successful implementation of census activities cannot be over emphasized. There is the compelling need to create a conducive atmosphere, dissolve apathy, remove bias, cultivate public ownership and secure the cooperation of stakeholders and development partners for the next census.

Census is a people-oriented exercise that requires popular participation to enhance its credibility, reliability and acceptability by all. For the people to participate, they must be properly informed about the essence, rationale, methodology and outcomes of census data. It is in this regard that effective publicity and advocacy campaign becomes important to achieving a credible and reliable 2022 census. This even becomes more important in view of the misconception and misrepresentation surrounding past censuses leading to mutual acrimony and tension over the processes and outcomes of the exercises. Unfortunately, every population census conducted both before and after independence has ended in national controversy, strong allegation of population falsification leading to lack of general consensus among the populace on the size of the total population of Nigeria. While Nigerian government accepted the results of most of the past censuses conducted since independence, some Nigerians have not totally accepted some of the past censuses. The 1962 census results were rejected by some regional authorities leading to recount in 1963 which figures were similarly contested up to the Supreme Court that later ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to jettison the figures and so it remained the official figure thereon. In 1973 another census was conducted but the results were so controversial that they were not published at all on the grounds of allegation of deliberate falsification of the census figures for political and ethnic advantages. The 1991 and 2006 censuses generated misgivings in certain quarters though the results were accepted by the Federal Government.

A census exercise can be accurate but unacceptable. So, the acceptability of a census result is very important. How to make the 2022 Population and Housing Census credible, reliable and acceptable by Nigerian government, Nigerians and international development partners is of major concern to the National Population Commission and strategic publicity and advocacy implementation plan is being deployed to make this possible. Winning back the confidence of Nigerians in the census process is one major task before the Commission. This will involve advocacy visits to the strategic stakeholders to galvanize support for grassroot mobilization and massive public enlightenment on the primary and fundamental purpose of census taking. It is gratifying to note that the Commission has started cultivating public ownership of this forthcoming census at every stage of the exercise to make Nigerians to understand that it is a Nigerian project that will provide demographic data for development planning.

The Commission has set out publicity and advocacy tools to correct misconceptions some Nigerians have about census. Some Nigerians still view census as a mere head count of the country’s population to determine figures for political representation and revenue sharing formula leaving out the basic essence of census data which is for development planning hence why past censuses ended in controversy. Lack of public awareness, negative criticism, apathy, public resistance and misrepresentation of facts encountered in the conduct of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), 1st and 2nd Census pre-test exercises across the States of the Federation and FCT which are the preparatory activities for the main census alluded to the fact that aggressive publicity and advocacy campaign should be done to make the next census acceptable and reliable. Some Nigerians were not aware of these preparatory activities and refused to cooperate with the field functionaries, others erroneously assumed these preparatory exercises to be the main census. The challenges affected smooth conduct of the exercises in some places. Regrettably, some stakeholders have also called for postponement of the next census on the basis of insecurity that has displaced many people from their homes and for paucity of funds. The misconception, negative reception and scathing criticism that greeted the census preparatory activities could have been avoided, if the populace were properly sensitized and educated on the essence, process and methodology of a census exercise. These criticisms, if not countered are capable of neutralizing the goodwill and support the Commission hopes to drive from the Government, Nigerians and Global world in preparation for the next census.

These challenges have made the Commission to put in place a solid publicity and advocacy strategy that will counter potential negative comments on the next census and reinforce its desirability as a tool for national development. The Commission is currently sensitizing and educating the populace on why the 2022 Population and Housing Census must hold and its essence, benefits, process and methodology. Truly, the public need to be educated that censuses are conducted, not necessarily to know the aggregate population figure, important as it is, but, primarily, to lay bare the demographic composition of the data so as to equip governments with relevant tools and data for planning and policy formulation for sustainable development. They should know that population census has the housing component which provides crucial information on the living standard of the country’s inhabitants. They should be made to understand that census data provides raw information on how many people are educated, hence the literacy level, how many are unemployed, how many have roof over their heads and the dependency ratio, among other information. They should know the importance of census data in planning for infrastructural development, anti-corruption, economic reforms and social welfare programmes. Knowledge of the essence and importance of census will make them support and accept census outcome.

The Commission is emphasizing on the desirability of the next census to address security challenges in the country so that some concerned stakeholders should stop using insecurity as a reason to call for cancellation of the next census. The Commission is making every effort to educate the public that solution to the security challenges bedeviling the country is not to call for census postponement but rather to support the conduct of the next census to get accurate and reliable data to tackle insecurity in the country. Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra stressed on this during his recent advocacy visit to Borno State. Understanding of this will make the public support and accept 2022 census to be able to get evidence-based information to solve the security challenges.

The Commission is making it known to the public the quantity and quality arrangements it has put in place to ensure the accuracy, reliability and acceptability of the next census. The Commission has made concerted efforts to let Nigerians understand the 2022 census process and procedure. In fact, the Commission has assured Nigerians that no resident in the country will be left out in the 2022 Population and Housing Census including those in the IDP camps. People are being sensitized on the 2022 census methodology, so that they will know that the 2022 census questionnaire has provision for follow up questions that will link information on Internally Displaced Persons to their usual place of residence. The knowledge of this will allay the fears of some stakeholders that are worried about their people being undercounted in the next census due to insurgency that has displaced majority of them. This will reinforce the national acceptance of the next census figures.

The Commission is seeking to combat misconception and misrepresentation that have encouraged the criticisms of past census figures by enlightening the public on the correct facts and information. It is educating the public on politicization and misrepresentation of the census process, demographic principles and census administrative units. The Commission is enlightening the people on the institutional structure of the National Population Commission in terms of representation of every state and FCT on the board of the Commission that makes sectional manipulation of the census outcomes unlikely. Also, the understanding of the broad base international support and involvement of development partners in the design, preparations and conduct of the 2022 Population and Housing Census will inspire public confidence in the census process and outcomes.

The Commission is making considerable efforts to let the public know the level of preparations it has put in place for the next Population and Housing Census. It is educating the public on the meticulous, professional and scientifically methods and technologies being deployed for the census activities – the use of very high-resolution satellite imageries to capture all the building structures in the country, the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) for geo-referencing, the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) for data management, the use of Personal Data Assistants (handheld devices/tablets) that include computer software for data capture. The Commission has successfully completed Enumeration Area Demarcation in the 772 LGAs with only 2 LGAs remaining and has carried out 1st and 2nd Census Pre-test in the selected Enumeration Areas in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT. The Commission has also conducted Census Data Users Workshops to generate broad-based inputs into the design of census questionnaire. These activities are being implemented along with extensive stakeholders’ engagement and consultations as well as media campaign in order to forge broad national acceptance and consensus for the next census. The outcomes of these preparatory activities are re-assuring that the Commission is on course in its mission of delivering accurate census that will meet global acceptance standard.

So, sensitization and public enlightenment on the need for the next census will elicit public goodwill and support which will lead to the acceptability of the census result. However, Census taking is a huge investment and a national project that requires understanding, cooperation, and support of all Nigerians and beyond. The task of mobilizing Nigerians on this sensitive and important national assignment cannot be left to the National Population Commission alone. The support and cooperation of the State and Local Government especially traditional rulers who are the closest to the people at the grassroot to use their good offices to mobilize and sensitize their subjects on the need to support the next census is highly needed. It is good to note that the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra has started advocacy tours to State Governors and other stakeholders to galvanize support and mobilize the masses for the next census but more publicity and advocacy still need to be done to enhance the acceptability of the 2022 Census. The Commission must convince the populace to have confidence in the next census and accept the census data. Definitely, this is not an easy task, but one task that must be done for the Commission to deliver a credible and reliable census that will be globally acceptable.

Stanley O. Nwosu, is a Political Economist, Development Expert and Principal Public Affairs Officer in the National Population Commission

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Presidency Refutes Afenifere’s Deceitful Statement on President Bola Tinubu’s Midterm:

Published

2 days ago

on

June 5, 2025

By

Chief Sunday Dare

The statement from a factional Afenifere group raises serious concerns about a penchant and deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit instead of objectivity. The group has found it challenging to accept that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway.

The rebellious Afenifere claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past two years has witnessed a regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.

This is a jaundiced view, echoing the view of opposition politicians, one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.

A balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture, with significant achievements amid the challenges expected from a country like Nigeria with decades-old problems.

Beyond its confounding conclusions based on prejudice, the statement raises the following issues. With the ensuing point-by-point clarification, it will become clear that the group’s position is neither grounded in facts nor logic.

  1. Economic Reforms and Their Impact

The factional Afenifere’s claim that Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, have led to “unmitigated sufferings” and “economic deforms” seeks to draw attention to some of the challenges but overlooks the macroeconomic gains. The removal of the fuel subsidy, announced on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, reducing fiscal strain and redirecting funds to other sectors. Unifying the foreign exchange market and the naira’s floatation aimed to address distortions in the currency market, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Food inflation, the most significant component of the inflation basket, remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

While these figures indicate stabilisation, the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians is not lost. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is a credible outreach.

However, dismissing the twin policies as “unforced errors” ignores the unsustainable nature of the previous subsidy regime and multiple exchange rate systems, which were draining public finances. A more balanced critique would acknowledge the necessity of reform while emphasising the need for better-targeted social safety nets.

As of today, the Tinubu administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND, N70,000 minimum wage, NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000, Free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, leading to a significant drop in transport costs. The administration also recorded over $10 Billion FX debt cleared, Federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

The administration also disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers, over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction under the renewed Hope cities program launched across Nigeria, N200 Billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors. Other gains: over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years), over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as at April was down to 23.17%.

It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time.

  1. Cost of Governance and the Oronsaye Report

The assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs is inaccurate. The Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented and has drawn criticisms; it must be noted, however, that the administration has made some efforts to improve fiscal discipline. The fiscal deficit was reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These steps demonstrate fiscal prudence and will eventually translate into immediate, tangible relief for citizens. The administration is working earnestly to address these optics and prioritise cost-cutting measures, including implementing the Oronsaye Report, to restore public trust.

  1. Allegations of Prebendalism and Corruption

Afenifere’s claim that the administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations is questionable. Reports of palliatives being mismanaged or distributed through unverified channels have no doubt surfaced, raising concerns about transparency.

The administration has taken steps against corruption, such as suspending Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in January 2024 over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability. Critics may argue that more systemic action is needed, but dismissing all the efforts as propaganda overlooks these initial steps.

Without abusing Presidential powers, the administration is working on expediting action on all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. At the same time, critical agencies are collating credible evidence on ongoing corruption litigations. It must, however, be noted that in 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a record-breaking 4,111 convictions, marking its most successful year since its inception. They recovered over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies, including $214.5 Million, $54,318.64, and 31,265 Euros.

The EFCC achieved its single most significant asset recovery in 2025, with the final forfeiture of an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 725 units of duplexes and other apartments. The EFCC concluded the final forfeiture and handed the estate to the Ministry of Housing in May 2025.

  1. Democratic Concerns and Centralisation

Afenifere’s accusation that the Tinubu administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions is unsupported and lacks merit. The claim of neutralising the legislature and judiciary is also a false alarm.

The public should note that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia, suggesting judicial independence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for allegedly appointing individuals said to be ruling party affiliates, but no evidence confirms these appointees are card-carrying APC members.

The allegation that the Tinubu government cracks down on peaceful protesters is primarily unfounded. It is a regurgitated rhetoric deployed under previous administrations as a reflection of broader challenges in Nigeria’s democratic culture.

The issue of the State Police is more complex than the oversimplified approach of the factional Afenifere’s statement. Every administration policy is subject to security impact assessment before implementation, and there is a difference between the State Police being widely advocated and a Police State that critics may blame the Federal Government for if implemented without caution.

  1. Security and Social Welfare

Contrary to the impression created, the administration’s security record is impressive. Over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year, though there is still some news of abductions and violent attacks. The administration’s proactive response to security-related matters has paved the way for more farmers to return to their farms, impacting food production and supply.

The administration also embarked on agricultural initiatives, including tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.

The government has also not relented on its Regional Development drive as the administration succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across 6 Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments.

  1. Political Climate and 2027 Elections
    The claims of government-sponsored conflicts within opposition parties lack concrete evidence and should be ignored.

Economic reforms are undoubtedly laying the foundation for long-term stability, with GDP growth at 4.6% in Q4 2024 and a Fitch B credit rating upgrade as evidence. Moody’s Investors Service’s latest upgrade of Nigeria’s rating from Caa1 to B3, with a Stable Outlook, indicates that the Tinubu administration is on the right path.

The government is not oblivious to some discontent and difficult times among Nigerians. There is an urgency to deliver more tangible results, which is guaranteed given the impressive performance of the administration in just two years.

Afenifere’s statement saw the cup as half empty. On the contrary, it’s half full. Under President Tinubu’s administration, some of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems are being tackled headlong.

The administration has achieved fiscal improvements, such as reduced deficits and increased revenues, which will eventually translate into meaningful microeconomic relief for most Nigerians in the short term, even as the government moves to address these issues with greater empathy and transparency.

The administration’s demonstrable priorities are securing the nation, fixing the economy, and improving human capital development.

Responsible citizens and political leaders must work collaboratively with the administration to address the challenges and counter disinformation, as highlighted in the admonition against fake news and deceptive AI videos.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and

expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results. With improved security, regional inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and institutional rebuilding, Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete — but it is firmly underway.

– Sunday Dare is the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Media and Public Communications.

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