The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled an official schedule for the trial census which began Monday, June 27.
Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra, disclosed this during a briefing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday.
He added that the trial will cut across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria; one local government per geo-political zone.
The exercise, which is expected to take place from June 27 to July 30, 2022 as approved by the federal government, already commenced on Monday, June 27 with the training of field functionaries which will continue till July 8.
Kwarra explained that the aim of the trial census, is to check all aspects of census operations to enable the government to have a good grasp of what is obtainable for an effective exercise ahead of the official census coming up in 2023.
“For this Trial Census, the specific objectives are assessing the quality and the usefulness of the Enumeration Area (EA) maps that had been created, determine the possible demographic as well as geographical changes that might have occurred in the EAs carved between 2016-2018 and their implications for census taking,” he said.
The Chairman further stated that the exercise will take place in selected areas across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.
Local government areas to be fully enumerated include Toungo Local Government Area, Adamawa State – North East, Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, North West, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, North Central, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Ogun State, South West, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, South East and Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, South-South.
“The selection of the coverage areas has been scientifically and purposely carried out to achieve the objectives of the Trial Census. The selection of samples from all states of the federation and the FCT is expected to yield nationwide information on state-specific issues that may arise for the next census and come up with possible solutions for addressing these challenges.
“However, some states have been selected for full LGA enumeration to test challenges around complete coverage under various scenarios such as in hard-to-reach areas, special populations, and rural-urban settings.
“In other words, the outcome of the Trial Census will not form the basis of the 2023 Census. Data generated during the Trial Census will not be used to arrive at figures for the 2023 Census, which is going to be zero-based and from information collected in April 2023,” he explained.
He added that a total of 7,718 EAs were selected for the trial census to check suitability and preparedness ahead of the main deal.
Further information include dates for activities such as building numbering and the household listing, which will commence from July 11 to July 16. Validation of the EA frame will commence on July 17 and end on July 19.
Enumeration of persons will will however, commence from July 20 to July 24, and round-off enumeration will start from July 25 to July 30, 2022.