THE National Population Commission (NPC) says the data that will be generated from the 2023 population census will be used to address Nigeria’s problems.

NPC commissioner, Abdulmalik Durunguwa, while briefing the Southern Kaduna Journalists Forum in Abuja on Friday, May 5, said most of the country’s challenges would be addressed when the census is conducted in a thorough manner.

According to the commissioner, the exercise would show the government where the problems are.

“The data that is required is more about where you reside and not your village or state because the essence of the data is to solve people’s problems wherever you are.

“The country needs to know the composition and the dynamics of its population and as such, people should be counted wherever they are,” he said.

The national population census had been postponed twice. It had been earlier slated for March 29.

But due to the postponement of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections, it was rescheduled to May 3 and was later postponed indefinitely.

However, the commissioner hinted that the exercise would be conducted as soon as the new administration is inaugurated.

He also said the census will provide the government with a working document that will be used to respond to peculiar challenges affecting people residing in different parts of the country.

“Most of the population data currently in use in Nigeria is estimated. We need to know the actual number of poor among us, the number of out-of-school children, the poverty level and other indices.

“The last census was conducted in 2006 and children born that year are already 17 years old. You can see the huge gap,” he said.

The 2023 national census will be the first census in over a decade and the first digital census ever.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N2.8 billion for the NPC to procure software to be used for the conduct of the exercise.

The Commission has assured that the census would meet global standards.