Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwara, has said that a total of Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighteen (7,718) Enumerated Areas (EAs’) have been selected for the trial census scheduled for June 27-July 30, adding that the exercise is to test run suitability and readiness for the upcoming 2023 population and housing census.
Kwara disclosed this Monday in Abuja during a media briefing on the commencement of the trial census exercise also known as the “census dress rehearsal”, another key preparatory activity ahead of the census.
He explained that the “census dress rehearsal”, is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner about a year to the actual census date to assess the different scenarios that may be presented during the main census.
“As you are aware, the Commission has carried out the demarcation of the entire land mass of Nigeria into small Enumeration Areas that can be covered by a team of enumerators, and the first and second pretests to test the census instruments.
“The Trial census will test all aspects of census operations, from planning to implementation including logistics arrangement and management, questionnaire design and format, training procedures, fieldwork operations, publicity, payment system, data processing, data tabulations and analysis.”
“Being a sample exercise, the Trial Census will only be conducted in selected areas of the six geo political zones as follows:
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
Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, South South.
“The selection of the coverage areas has been scientifically and purposively 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,” he added.
According to the Chairman, 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 population, and rural urban settings.
“The selection of the coverage areas has been scientifically and purposively 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Trial Census is not the actual enumeration of persons for the 2023 Population and Housing Census. 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.
“The Trial Census is a test case for the Commission which we hope to pass with resounding success. Our confidence is reinforced in the fact that, over the years, the Commission has invested considerable time and resources planning for the census drawing from its rich institutional experience to give the nation a truly scientific census data for planning,” he assured.
