The National Population and Housing Census scheduled to take place between May 3 and May 7, 2023, has been postponed by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement was made by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, who also serves as the Chairman of the National Publicity and Advocacy Committee on the 2023 Census. In a statement, he stated that the exercise would be rescheduled at a later date determined by the incoming administration.

The decision was reached after a meeting with members of the Federal Executive Council, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. The President acknowledged the progress made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, including the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country and the conduct of the first and second pretests. He also commended the methodology being put in place by the commission to conduct an accurate and reliable census.

The President directed the commission to continue with preparations for the census to sustain the gains already recorded and provide a basis for the incoming administration to consolidate on these achievements. In his statement, the Minister stressed the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, which would provide up-to-date data to drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standards of the Nigerian people.