Conflicting Nigeria’s Population Figure-Relief International Africa Proffer Solutions In A Roundtable Discussion

Lack of accurate Data has been identified as the bane for Nigerians inability to achieve sustainable goals.  Nigerian citizens have been at logger heads with their leaders over lack of accurate figures  of its citizens to drive down real developmental people in rural areas.

This topped the discussions at the Relief International Africa round table talks with stakeholders on World Population Day 2024 on Thursday 11th July,2024 in Port Harcourt with the theme “Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone.”

Participants were drawn from Civil Society Organizations and the media.

In his speech, Amb. Green Isaac, the Executive Director of Relief International Africa said the objective of the meeting is to amplify national voices and local actions via evidence-based advocacy towards sustainable population in Nigeria.

1- Also conduct Nigeria citizens’ perception survey (across the six geo-political zones),
2- conduct Multi-stakeholders Seminar (across the six geo-political zones),
3- devise an agreed Next steps by all,
4- sensitive general public through strategic media engagement.

Ambassador Isaac disclosed that the procedures to be deployed include deliberate inclusion of People with Disabilities, Elderly, Young People and Women.

The Executive Director of Relief International Africa stated that Integrated technology in administration and collation of the survey responses, which demonstrate consideration for the environment
Enumerators were selected from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and trained on the processes and procedures of the survey data collection.

He revealed that survey questionnaire was initially tested across the six geo-political zones and modified accordingly to be fit-for-purpose.

Various participants in the round table discussion identified alleged corruption tendencies staff, administrative secrecy, politics, religion as some of the factors that may hinder collection of accurate data in forth coming census which may lead to incorrect population figure in the country.

Participants also identified digital census, aggressive sensitization, media awareness as factors that can help to enhance transparency, accountability in Nigeria’s population figure