|
|
Article: Headache of Africa's biggest head count: just how big is Nigeria's population? Is it 100m or 150m or somewhere in between? No one is sure because Nigeria has never really had an accurate, all-inclusive census and demographic numbers are politically and economically very sensitive. Now the country awaits the results of the first census in 15 years. Neil Ford reports.
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- June 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Nigeria's recent national census has both highlighted and tried to overcome major weaknesses in the fabric of the nation. Ever since the Biafran civil war, the country's political leaders have feared provoking another attempt at secession and have sought to underplay the religious, regional and ethnic divisions that are all too apparent and which threaten the very integrity of the nation.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
They therefore sought to avoid carrying out a population census but the lack of accurate demographic data has made governance difficult at all levels. It has been virtually impossible to make comprehensive national plans and this has prevented ...