NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION ACT

An Act establishes the National Population Commission to conduct censuses and collect demographic data. It targets all Nigerians and government agencies that use population statistics. This provides accurate information for effective planning and policy-making.

What Is This Policy?

An Act establishing the National Population Commission (NPC) as the body responsible for conducting population censuses, collecting demographic data, and maintaining civil registration records in Nigeria.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerians as census subjects Federal and state government agencies using population data International organisations requiring Nigerian demographic data Researchers and planners using population statistics

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive population data through censuses and demographic surveys to support national planning, resource allocation, and policy-making.

Key Features

Census Mandate: NPC is responsible for conducting a national population and housing census at least every ten years. Civil Registration: NPC coordinates the national civil registration system for births, deaths, and marriages. Demographic Surveys: NPC conducts intercensal demographic surveys to update population estimates. Data Management: Maintains the national demographic database and publishes population statistics.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — NPC is operational nationwide Coverage: Nationwide population and vital statistics Beneficiaries: All Nigerians through evidence-based planning; researchers Funding: Federal Government appropriations; donor support

How to Access

All persons must participate in census exercises when they occur Births and deaths are registered through NPC-coordinated vital registration offices Population data published and freely accessible at NPC website Application method: Access population data at https://www.population.gov.ng

Important Terms

Refusing to participate in a census exercise is an offence Census data is used for constituency delimitation and resource allocation NPC data is confidential at the individual level but published in aggregate

Official Resources

Website: https://www.population.gov.ng Contact: National Population Commission (NPC)

Legal Framework

Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside Section 213 of the 1999 Constitution mandating population censuses, the Statistics Act 2007, the Freedom of Information Act 2011, and UN guidelines on population and housing censuses including the UN Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses.