Mohammed, Isah Shehu and Othman, Muhammad Fuad and Osman, Nazariah (2019) Nigerian national population and housing census and sustainable development: issues at stake. Journal of Techno Social, 11 (1). pp. 16-28. ISSN 2229-8940

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Abstract

This study is about conducting population and housing census and sustainable development in Nigeria. The main objectives are to identify the critical issues in conducting census exercise for the federation of Nigeria. Conducting decennial population and housing census, although being phased out, has especially in developing states, remained the main source of quality demographic data. In Nigeria, suchcensuses conducted have not in her history, been only the crucial source of statistical data for socio-economic, political and sustainable development, but also problematic, sensitive, divisive, expensive, and controversial. Sustainable development cannot be achieved with mere census figures unless they are valid and reliable for planning and implementation, no matter how abundant human and material resources may be available and committed to such. Nigeria’s conduct of decennial census has been missed since the last one conducted in 2006 and up to the early part of 2019, after officially shifting the exercise three times. This study used secondary sources of data and historical method of data analysis to identify the major issues confronting future census exercise in Nigeria. For any future census to be conducted in Nigeria, there are major issues/challenges of inaccessibility to some areas due to militancy in the Niger Delta; renewed Boko Haram insurgency, resultant effects of ethno-religious conflicts; agitations for re structuring Nigeria, internally displaced persons and camps, proper and timely sourcing of funding, proper management/administration of ethno-religious issues involving sensitive questions, recruitment/appointment scams of census officials and enumerators, among others. The article recommended shift from the traditional and decennial to administrative census; intensive and extensive enlightenment, involvement of traditional and communities’ leaders, among others. The study is very significant at this time of dilemma in which the Nigerian state has fallen with shortages of funds, insecurity in most parts of Nigeria, increased manipulation of ethnicity, religions, and politics for selfish interests, and a struggle for resource control and allocation by Nigerians.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	census, Nigeria, issues, population, sustainable development, statistics
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management
Divisions:	School of International Studies
Depositing User:	Mrs. Norazmilah Yaakub
Date Deposited:	17 Jun 2020 03:06
Last Modified:	17 Jun 2020 03:06
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/27122

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