Writing By Daniel Karlmax , Editing By Godwin Duru
In Nigeria, the call for national development echoes loudly across sectors, but one foundational tool remains largely underutilized—an effective population census.
While the country grapples with economic challenges, rising insecurity, and infrastructure gaps, one truth stands clear: meaningful development cannot happen without accurate demographic data.
At the center of it all lies the census, often called the mother of all data.
A population census goes far beyond a headcount.
It captures who Nigerians are, where they live, what services they need, and how government can best serve them.
It offers vital insights into the country’s structure—its age distribution, gender balance, educational levels, employment patterns, household conditions, and regional spread.
This is the backbone of every successful development strategy.
Without it, governments are forced to rely on projections, outdated estimates, and guesswork, which often leads to misplaced priorities and uneven progress.
The last national census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006.
Nearly two decades later, Nigeria is still making critical decisions—on infrastructure, health, education, and security—based on projections.
With an estimated population exceeding 220 million, and significant shifts in urban growth, migration, and birth rates, Nigeria can no longer afford to plan blindly.
A credible and current census is essential for health and education planning.
Knowing the number of children under five helps guide immunization drives and maternal health services.
Accurate school-age population figures inform the construction of schools, training of teachers, and distribution of educational resources.
Without these figures, millions of children risk being left behind.
Census data also plays a key role in infrastructure and urban development.
As cities like Lagos, Kano, and Abuja continue to swell, knowing where people live and in what numbers helps planners build roads, housing, water systems, and power supply networks.
With urbanization happening faster than planning can catch up, population data is the compass that can guide sustainable growth.
Resource allocation at the federal, state, and local levels is another area heavily dependent on census figures.
From revenue sharing to legislative representation, census numbers determine who gets what.
When data is outdated or manipulated, certain regions may be overrepresented while others are starved of funds and political voice.
A fair, transparent census is therefore not just a development tool—it is a tool of justice.
Accurate data also supports employment and economic planning.
Knowing the structure of the labor force and the distribution of skills allows the government to design targeted job creation strategies and vocational programs.
Similarly, understanding the population dynamics of vulnerable groups helps shape effective social welfare policies.
This is especially crucial as Nigeria tries to address rising poverty and inequality.
The importance of a national census also extends to security and national unity.
By understanding migration patterns, population density, and regional demographics, security agencies can respond more effectively to conflicts and population pressures.
A census also brings visibility to marginalized communities that are often left out of national plans, helping to reduce exclusion and promote inclusive development.
Nigeria’s diversity adds complexity to the census process, but it also increases its importance.
Ethnic, religious, and regional identities must be fairly represented in national data.
Achieving this will require transparency, public trust, and the use of digital technology to prevent manipulation and boost credibility.
Every Nigerian must see the census not as a political threat, but as a shared opportunity to build a better country.
In a nation as vast and complex as Nigeria, development begins with data.
And the most powerful data comes from knowing the people—where they are, what they need, and how to plan for their future.
A well-executed census is the first step toward ending blind planning, correcting regional imbalances, and building a nation where no one is invisible.
The time to act is now.
Nigeria must not allow another decade to pass without a proper count, because in the end, we cannot plan for people we do not count.
Daniel Karlmax
