President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N10bn to the National Population Commission for the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) across the country in preparation for the Population and Housing Census.
Acting Chairman of the NPC Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a press briefing for the commencement of the fieldwork for the 10th phase of the EAD exercise.
Oyetunji said Buhari had also approved the inclusion of N4.5bn in the 2021 budget for the completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.
“This milestone development underscores the President’s understanding of the role of data, especially demographic data as the bedrock for informed development planning and allocation of resources,” he said.
He said there was no specific date for the conduct of the census, noting, however, that the commission was ready to conduct it when approved.
He said the 10th phase of the EAD would be conducted in 33 local government areas spread across 25 states and the FCT from October 5 to 29.
The states include Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Rivers and FCT.