INTRODUCTION TO 2023 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS

The Population Census will entail the complete enumeration of all persons and
the Housing Census the complete enumeration of all living quarters and their
characteristics, within Nigerian borders at a specified time. The information on
the population and the housing characteristics can be readily matched and
processed for analysis. This makes it possible to relate the housing census data
to the information on demographic, social and economic characteristics of each
household member that is collected in the population census.This data will form
a baseline for economic planning and national development.

Importance of the Population and Housing Census

The Population and Housing Census (PHC) will provide key information about
persons, households, buildings, localities, and the nation. The PHC gives
information about:
1. population characteristics;
a. age and sex;
b. living and working conditions;
c. distribution across the country, states, local government areas,
localities and by urban/rural areas;
d. marital status, educational attainment; employment status; type
and nature of jobs;
2. household and housing characteristics including conditions of housing,
structural characteristics, sources of drinking water, sources of energy
etc.;
3. availability of facilities such as schools, health, ICT, financial institutions,
etc.

Essential Features of a Population and Housing Census

The essential features of a modern Population and Housing Census
recommended by the United Nations (UN) are:
1. Individual enumeration: each individual and each set of living quarters is
enumerated separately, and the characteristics thereof are separately
recorded.
2. Universality within a defined territory: every person present in and/or
residing within a defined territory at a specified time will be enumerated.
3. Simultaneity: this requires that each person and each set of living
quarters be enumerated within the same reference period.
 4. Defined Periodicity: censuses should be taken at regular intervals. A
series of censuses makes it possible to appraise the past, accurately
describe the present and plausibly estimate the future.
5. Capacity to produce Small-area Statistics: census should produce data
on the number and characteristics of the population and housing units
down to the lowest appropriate geographic level of the country, and for
small population groups.

Persons to be enumerated during the 2023 PHC

The following persons should be enumerated during the 2023 PHC:
a. only persons who are physically present at the time of the Enumerator’s
visit and have not been enumerated elsewhere.
b. all Special Population groups- required to be enumerated on census
nights such as persons on transit;
c. all persons including guests who spent the previous night in a regular or
institutional household;
d. usual members who were temporarily absent during the previous night in
a household because of the nature of their work such as night watch
men, security men, doctors, nurses, fishermen etc;
e. guests who did not spend the previous night but are not going back to
their usual residence before the end of the census period;
f. all homeless persons; and
g. all Census Functionaries.

Persons not to be enumerated during the 2023 PHC

The following persons should not be enumerated during the 2023 PHC:
a. all guests or non-usual residents who did not spend the previous night in
a household but are going back to their usual residence before the end of
the census period;
b. all persons born after completion of enumeration in the household ; and
c. all persons who died the previous night before the arrival of the
enumerator's in the household.

New features in the 2023 Census

The following are some of the new features in the 2023 PHC:
a. The use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) to ensure
efficient data, collection, management, and processing. This will help to
receive real-time data and also minimise the data processing period so
that processed data could be released shortly after field data collection.
 b. The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to capture the location
(coordinates) of all structures. This allows for geo-fencing of enumeration
areas i.e. enumerators cannot work outside of their enumeration area.
c. Five new modules have been introduced into the 2023 census which are:
■ ICT
■ Fertility and Child Survival
■ Mortality (Deaths in the Households in the last 12 months)
■ Difficulties in performing activities
■ Sanitation
■ Climate Change

Key points to note

Population and Housing censuses are key demographic and socio-economic
data sources for any country. The 2023 Census will be carried out in the 774
Local Government Areas of the country. Your appointment as a Census
Functionary in the conduct of the Census is a privilege for you to contribute
towards collecting reliable data for the purpose of development planning in
Nigeria.
This manual of instructions will be your reliable helper as you do your work. You
should always take it along when you are enumerating because you will need it
any time you are in difficulty. International best practices in conduct of
Censuses and Surveys requires that the rules, regulations, guidelines and
principles behind the project are followed in a uniform and simultaneous
method to avoid differences and variations in the conduct of the exercise.