By Abiola Olawale
The National Population Commission (NPC) has denied viral reports claiming that it is planning to hold a national census in 2025.
The NPC clarified that there are currently no intentions to carry out the next census in the year 2025.
On Thursday reports emerged that the NPC is reportedly planning to hold a census in 2025 after several years.
Reports emerged after a comment reportedly attributed to the NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, surfaced online.
However, a press statement issued by the NPC acting Director of Public Affairs Erelu Oloruntoba, clarified that the commission has not made any official announcement on the issue.
Oloruntoba explained that only the president has the power to make such a proclamation, as NPC is only constitutionally mandated to conduct the census.
The statement reads in part: “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.
“To put the record straight, during a media interaction at the 30th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Abuja, the NPC Chairman addressed the pressing issue of significant data gaps in Nigeria that impede the tailoring of reproductive health services and interventions to specific demographic groups.
“We urge the public to seek verified information from official NPC channels rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims.”
