NIGERIA has concluded plans to conduct a national population census in 2016 in line with United Nations (UN) directives that nation states conduct head counts every 10 years or less.  

According to Eze Duru Iheoma, the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), the census would cost about N27bn (£86.6m), while about N10bn (£32m) of the amount would be needed immediately to begin preparations for next year. Briefing President Muhammadu Buhari about the exercise yesterday, Mr Iheoma told the president that a biometric-based census was being proposed because it will eliminate multiple respondents, and ghost respondents, while making the outcome easy to audit. 

Leading other national commissioners to the presidential villa, he briefed the president on what will be required for the commission to conduct a national census next year. Nigeria last conducted a census in 2006, so will need to organise one next year to remain within UN directives. 

Estimated to have a current population of about 180m, Nigeria is forecast to become the fifth most populated country in the world by 2050. Nigeria has one of the fastest growing populations in the world and is fortunate that the demographics also show a very young workforce.