2018 Census May Cost N272billion For Nigeria’s 198m Population – NPC

2018 Census May Cost N272billion For Nigeria’s 198m Population – NPC

The population of Nigeria is now estimated to be 198 million, according to the National Population Commission (NPC).

This represents a steep increase from the 2016 World Bank estimate that pegged Nigeria’s population at 186 million.

NPC chairman, Eze Duruiheoma, made the declaration in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration at the 51st session of commission on population and development.

According to Duruiheoma, urban population was growing at an alarming average annual rate of about 6.5 percent.

“Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million,” Duruiheoma said.

“The recent World Population Prospects predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will become the third most populated country in the world.

“Over the last 50 years, Nigeria’s urban population has grown at an average annual growth rate of more than 6.5 percent without commensurate increase in social amenities and infrastructure.

“It grew substantially from 17.3 in 1967 to 49.4 percent in 2017. In addition, the 2014 World Urbanisation Prospects report, predicts that by 2050, most of the population – 70 percent – will be residing in cities.

“The 2010 human mobility Survey report revealed that 23 percent of the sampled population were of more females than males.”

He added that existing urbanisation trend coupled with Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in cities pose critical challenges to securing sustainability of our cities.

The NPC boss lamented that fact that Nigerian cities host widespread poverty, under-employment and unemployment at an average of 18.4 percent, citing the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2017 report.

The last census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, and the NPC estimates that a proposed census for 2018 may cost a whopping N272 billion.