UNFPA Assists Government in First Nigerian Census in 15 Years

UNITED NATIONS, New York — Nigeria's first census in 15 years ended late last night following a two-day extension to ensure universal coverage of the head count in the total tally.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, provided technical expertise to the Government of Nigeria for the massive undertaking to determine the number of people living in Africa's most populous country. UNFPA had census monitoring staff on the ground in 21 of 36 Nigerian states during the weeklong census.

“The Nigerian Government has demonstrated its commitment to conducting a fair and accurate census of its population,” said Niangoran Essan, UNFPA Representative in Nigeria. “UNFPA will extend whatever technical support it can to make sure this undertaking is a success.”

Four officers from the National Population Commission, the government branch in charge of the census, were trained by UNFPA as trainers of trainers on reporting and analysing the census data. Another 69 officials from the Department of Public Affairs were trained by the Fund in information, education and communication skills to assist with advocacy. In addition, 70 journalists received instructions on how to appropriately report census data.

Educating the public in advance was an important component of the census preparation. European Union funding was channeled through UNFPA for a radio and television advertising campaign to tell people what they needed to know about the census. UNFPA also provided technical assistance for the website of the National Population Commission.

To lay the foundation for the census, UNFPA provided technical support to the Nigerian Government for its strategic planning document. A census awareness and attitudinal survey was also conducted to find out how much the population knew about the census and to identify the best medium to be utilized to reach the maximum number of people.

“For the past two years the Commission has worked relentlessly with development partners, states and local governments to lay a solid foundation for an accurate, reliable and acceptable census,” Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, Chairman of the National Population Commission, said at a press conference launching the census last week. “I therefore want to assure all Nigerians that the 2006 population and housing census will be accurate, reliable and acceptable.”

More Government officers will be trained in how to appropriately analyse the data generated during the census to assist the country in future socio-economic planning, said Osaretin Adonri, UNFPA National Programme Officer for Monitoring and Evaluation, based in Abuja.

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

Contact Information:

Niangoran Essan
Abuja
Tel.: +(234) 8034022079
Email: essan@unfpa.org

Omar Gharzeddine
New York
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org

Angela Walker
Dakar
Tel.: +(221) 5080745
Email: awalker@unfpa.org