Statisticians demand fresh census, warn against unreliable data

The Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conduct a new population census, warning that the lack of up-to-date data hindered effective planning for the country's people. CISON President, Goodday Ebuh, announced this demand during a press briefing to mark the institute's third international conference and 50th anniversary celebration in Abuja.

The last census was carried out in 2006, leaving a 20-year gap without a new official population count. This delay has serious consequences for economic planning, resource allocation, and public policy, according to Ebuh. He emphasized that without accurate statistics, decisions are based on estimates rather than real figures. He called for the government to prioritize the conduct of a population census, stating it should be a seamless process.

The institute also announced that the Federal Ministry of Education committed to introducing statistics at the secondary school level in the next curriculum review, aiming to familiarize young Nigerians with the subject. CISON's conference, themed "From Legacy to Leadership: 50 Years of Promoting Statistical Development in Nigeria," will take place from October 12 to 16, featuring technical papers, plenary sessions, and the induction of new members.