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CENSUS: Ebonyi NPC Federal Commissioner declares 2022 Trial Census open

…Nigeria to conduct first fully digital census in April 2023

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Helen Okoro, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Honorable Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, NPC, Darlington Okereke, has declared the 2022 Trial Census in the state open.

Announcing the commencement of the exercise in the state capital, Abakaliki, during a press briefing held, Friday, July 1, 2022, at the NPC Headquarters, Unity Square Secretariat, Okereke noted that the commencement of the Trial Census was in preparation for the first fully digital census to be conducted in Nigeria in April 2023, as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He explained that the Trial census, as a key preparatory activity for the Census and as a matter of best practice, ought to hold about a year to the actual census date to assess the different scenarios that may be presented during the main census.

Part of the statement read “As you are aware, His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, acting on the advice of the National Council of State has graciously approved the conduct of the Trial Census for June 2022 and the next Population and Housing Census in April 2023.

“Consequent upon this approval, the Commission has intensified preparatory activities deploying technological innovations on a massive scale to conduct a truly scientific census that will not only be accurate and reliable but also transparent and acceptable to all Nigerians.

“The Trial census, which is also known as the “census dress rehearsal”, is another key preparatory activity for the Census. It is a process in which all census operations are tested in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This takes place as a matter of best practice about a year to the actual census date to assess the different scenarios that may be presented during the main census”.

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Okereke pointed out that the Trial Census will be conducted nationwide, from 27th June to 30th July, 2022, with different activities over the more than 30 days exercise.

“Being a sample exercise, the Trial Census will only be conducted in selected areas. It will be covered as follows:

“One Local Government Area will be fully covered in One State in each of the six geo political zones

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“One supervisory area in 3 LGAs in each of the three senatorial districts in the remaining 30 states and the FCT. The Nine (9) Local Government Areas selected in Ebonyi State include: Abakaliki, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Afikpo North, Onicha and Ivo Local Government Areas.

“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 population, and rural urban settings”.

Reiterating that the essence of the Trial Census, he said, “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 for 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”.

The Federal Commissioner sought for the cooperation and support of the stakeholders, security agencies and the general public for the successful conduct of the Trial Census, “especially Ebonyi State Government, Local Government Councils and traditional institutions in the selected LGAs to extend support and assistance to the functionaries assigned to work within their domain”

Officials present at the press briefing were the Ebonyi State Director, National Population Commission, Barr. Mrs Julia Mayinke; Member, Public Affairs Department, NPC Headquarters, Abuja, Ms Gloria Ogu; HOD, Ebonyi State NPC Public Affairs Department, Mrs Nwachukwu Nwakaego Chinyere and Assistant HOD, Ebonyi State NPC Public Affairs Department, Mr Omogo Obed Chukwuma.