President Bola Tinubu’s administration has announced that Nigeria will conduct its long-awaited census in 2025. The announcement was made by Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), during the 2024 Anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Abuja.

Although the United Nations recommends population censuses every decade, Nigeria last conducted one in 2006, resulting in an 18-year gap without updated demographic data. The 2023 census was initially planned but postponed after two missed deadlines under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The cancellation was attributed to the desire for the incoming government, elected in 2023, to oversee the process.

In his address, Kwarra highlighted that the delay in conducting a population and housing census is a significant challenge for Nigeria. Accurate data is crucial for informed decision-making, particularly in rural and underserved regions. He emphasized that without this data, efforts to tailor reproductive health services and address maternal mortality, family planning, and gender-based violence are hindered.

Kwarra further stressed that the lack of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) for women, girls, and young people is not only a health issue but a matter of social and economic justice. Denying individuals the right to make decisions about their health limits their opportunities and negatively impacts society. He called for continued progress toward inclusivity and empowerment for all Nigerian.