THE ROLE OF POPULATION CENSUS IN NATION BUILDING: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Population census helps nation- states to conduct accurate head counts for effective national planning, proper allocation of national resources, grants, delimitation of constituencies and for international prestige purposes. This paper x- rays the role of population census to nation- building. It analyses how the Nigerian state can use population to enhance overall social and economic development. The paper examines problems of population census or head- count and consequences of population growth in Nigeria. Finally, the paper suggests measures that can be taken to ensure the conduct of accurate and reliable head- count in Nigeria during the post- independence era. To achieve the set objectives of the paper, the researchers adopted descriptive, thematic and interdisciplinary research methodologies. The paper also relied mainly on secondary sources of data collection.