A thorough understanding of Nigeria’s population, according to United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc Chairman Mr. Tony Elumelu, will aid in accelerating economic growth and development.
Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings Group and Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) Plc, was speaking on Monday in Abuja during a donor engagement over Nigeria’s 2023 Housing and Population Census.
For the future of our nation, he believes that the census-taking work is crucial.
“If we do not know our population, we cannot properly plot our developmental path, our economic growth, our society’s goals.
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 200 million people. Population growth and development are inextricably related in Nigeria.
“The last time a census was conducted in Nigeria was 2006, when we recorded a population of 140 million people.
“Today, our population is estimated to be in excess of 200 million, it is projected that this figure will grow to 450 million by 2050, which could make Nigerian the third most populous country in the world,” he said.
Elumelu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his admirable efforts to plan the housing and population census for 2023.
He contends that reliable demographic information is crucial for both the public and private sectors.
