The 2023 national population and housing census is to commence on May 3, the Federal Government has confirmed.

A member of the Publicity and Advocacy Committee on the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, Dr Garba Abati,  confirmed this on Sunday in Abuja when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria Forum.

He said that the three-day exercise would commence May 3 and end on May 5 across the country.

Abari, who is the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, explained that the census exercise would capture every person, household and structure for national planning and project execution purposes.

He described the census and the general elections as two major national events with significant importance.

“The census had to be put forward from the initial date of March 29 to April 2nd, now to May 3rd to 5th.

“There are two things that informed the shift in date. The gubernatorial election, as you are aware, had to be shifted by one week. And this also has a telling effects on the date of commencement of the census.”

“Just like election, the census is also a very long process, involving training, sub-training, retraining till the very day of the actual house listing and numbering will commence and then the actual capture of the population will now take place.”