2023 Census: NPC Recruits One Million Personnel

In a recent disclosure, the National Population Commission (NPC) revealed that approximately one million personnel were recruited prior to the postponement of the highly anticipated 2023 census, originally scheduled to take place between May 3 and 7.

During a media briefing held in Makurdi, Mrs Kupchi Iyanya, the NPC Federal Commissioner in charge of Benue State, emphasized that thorough preparations had been made for the rescheduled census. She highlighted the completion of the recruitment process for ad hoc workers through a rigorous online screening, which yielded approximately one million deserving individuals.

To facilitate the smooth execution of the 2023 Census, the commission has procured Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). As of now, around 500,000 of these devices have already been delivered and configured for the exercise across the 36 state offices and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, the NPC Federal Commissioner in Osun State, expressed during a meeting with media executives in Osogbo that the postponement of the census has provided the commission with additional time for further preparations. He acknowledged that certain necessary devices for the census were still pending at the time the postponement was announced.

Senator Hussain also noted that the postponement presents an opportunity for the commission to enhance and refine the processes and systems involved in conducting the first general digital census. He described the delay as a blessing in disguise, considering the potential shortage of devices for the ad hoc staff if the census were to proceed as initially planned.

Regarding the acquisition of personal digital assistants for the 2023 census, approximately 500,000 devices have been distributed across the 36 states and the FCT, while an additional 350,000 devices are still expected, having received approval prior to the exit of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The primary focus of the commission remains safeguarding the resources expended thus far, ensuring that no setbacks occur that would necessitate starting the census process anew when the time for its conduct arrives.