NATIONAL CENSUS DECREE, 1973
Decree · Governance
Policy date: 1973-01-01
A Decree mandates the Federal Government to conduct a national population census and establishes procedures for enumeration. It targets all Nigerians and government planning agencies. This provides a statutory basis for accurate population data.
NATIONAL CENSUS DECREE, 1973
What Is This Policy?
The original decree mandating a national population census and establishing the framework for census administration, subsequently replaced by the National Population Commission Act.
Who Does It Target?
All Nigerians as census subjects The National Population Commission (successor body) Federal Government planning agencies International organisations using Nigeria's population data
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Provide a statutory basis for the conduct of a national population census, establish enumeration procedures, and mandate participation by all Nigerians.
Key Features
Census Mandate: Required the Federal Government to conduct a national population census. Enumeration Framework: Established the procedures for enumerating Nigeria's population. Participation: Made participation in census enumeration compulsory for all persons. Data Use: Population data to be used for national planning and resource allocation.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Superseded — NPC Act now governs census administration Coverage: Historical Beneficiaries: Population data users; planning agencies Funding: Federal Government
How to Access
Refer to National Population Commission for current census framework Application method: Engage NPC at https://www.population.gov.ng
Important Terms
Decree is superseded by the National Population Commission Act NPC conducts censuses under the updated legal framework Last national census was conducted in 2006; a new census was planned for 2023
Official Resources
Website: https://www.population.gov.ng Contact: National Population Commission (NPC)
Legal Framework
The National Census Decree 1973 is recognized under Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution as an existing law. The current constitutional authority for national census is Section 213 of the 1999 Constitution, which vests census responsibilities in the National Population Commission (NPC). The NPC Act and the National Population Commission (Establishment) Act now provide the primary legal framework for census operations, replacing the 1973 Decree.