Joel Ajayi
National Population Commission (NPC) has dismissed reports circulating online suggesting that its chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, announced 2025 as the date for Nigeria’s next population and housing census.
In a statement issued by the acting director of public affairs, Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, the commission said no official date had been set for the census.
It said the chairman’s remarks at the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development in Abuja was misinterpreted by some individuals seeking to mislead the public.
In the release, the Chairman expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu would issue a proclamation on the census in the coming year but did not specify any date. The authority to announce a census date lies solely with the president, not the NPC,” the statement
“The attention of National Population Commission (NPC) has been drawn to misleading reports circulating online, which falsely suggest that the Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, has announced that the next Population and Housing Census in Nigeria will take place in 2025.
“We wish to clarify that no official announcement regarding the date of the upcoming census has been made. The Chairman’s remarks have been taken out of context by individuals seeking to mislead the public and drive traffic to their sites rather than provide accurate information.
“It is important to emphasize that while the NPC is constitutionally mandated to conduct censuses, it does not have the authority to set the date for the census. This power rests solely with the President of Nigeria, who is responsible for issuing the proclamation.
“Following the postponement of the census by the previous administration, the Commission has engaged with the presidency to determine a new date. As an organization committed to transparency and accuracy, we are currently in the preparatory stage for the upcoming census, and discussions regarding the timeline are actively ongoing. We urge the public to seek verified information from official NPC channels rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims.
“We call on the public and media to exercise caution and verify information before dissemination. For the latest updates, please visit the NPC’s official website and follow our social media channels.”
