Each year, the United Nations celebrates July 11 as World Population Day. On November 15, 2022, the world crossed the eight billion mark. Global population trends have been fascinating to observe. It took hundreds of thousands of years to reach a billion and just 200 to hit seven billion in 2011. We’ve taken 12 years to reach this milestone between then and now. Some projections say that in just under 15 years—by 2037—the world population will hit nine billion, signifying a slowing growth rate in the global population due to factors like low and falling fertility levels.
However, while population growth rates are declining in more developed countries, Africa is picking up the baton.
[Source: Washington Post]
Studies show that Africa will be the only continent experiencing growth by the end of the century. Thirteen of the world’s twenty biggest urban centres will be in Africa. With Nigeria as the self-styled “giant of Africa” and the most populated black nation on earth, we’re set to take centre stage in the coming decades.
So it’s a bit of a shock—or a Nigerian thing, if you like—that till now, no one’s quite sure how many Nigerians there are. At some point, we’d need to reach a consensus on our census numbers.
ALSO READ: How Much Does It Cost to Count Nigerians? A Lot
Why is a census important?
Census data is vital for getting details about demographic and housing statistics. As previously reported, it also helps the government know how best to allocate resources. Like how much each state should be getting from the FG. With Nigeria projected to experience a population surge, the government needs accurate numbers to plan for this.
What’s the delay?
The UN puts Nigeria’s official population figure at 223.8 million. However, this figure is an estimate. In this case, the real culprit is the Nigerian government, which has failed to hold a long overdue census. Globally accepted standards say that a census should be held once every ten years. Nigeria is seven years past that deadline, having last held one in 2006.
The body in charge of conducting a census in Nigeria is the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC). Under the Buhari administration, at least ₦200 billion was spent on training census officials, mapping, and enumeration. The budget for the census has fluctuated over time, rising to ₦800 billion. The census, once set to happen in May, was kicked down the road to a date yet to be fixed by the current administration.
On July 6, the NPC chair, Nasir Kwarra, said President Tinubu would “eventually” fix a new census date—a roundabout way of saying that no one knows when it will hold. He also expressed concerns that expenses will mount and money running into billions of naira will go to waste if the census exercise isn’t held as soon as possible.
What else should you know?
This year’s World Population Day theme is “Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.” As the theme suggests, gender upliftment should be an integral goal for any forward-thinking nation. Nigeria still practices some repressive practices against women. These include child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and breast ironing.
[Data in percentage on gender and harmful practices in Nigeria / UNFPA]
As we mark World Population Day, the government needs to act decisively on two key issues. One is conducting a census. And two, taking on more responsibility in tackling these issues affecting Nigerian women.
To get more insight into how this event is observed around the world, visit this link.
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