GOVERNMENT
JAMB 2008 - Question 41
Government 2008 JAMB Past Questions - Question 41: Problems arising from population census in Nigeria are mainly caused by
Correct Answer
B
Explanation
Problemsarising from population census in Nigeria are mainly caused by unreliablecensus figures, which are mainly caused by politicalmanipulation of the elites. For instance, when the result of 1962 census waspublished, the then census Commissioner, Mr. T. Warren criticized the figure asunrealistic. Consequently, the then Minister for EconomicDevelopment, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, cancelled the census.Another was then conducted in November 1963. The figures returned again showed thatNorthern Region had 29.8 million, Eastern Region 12.4 million, Western Region10.3 million and the mid West 2.5 million while Lagos had 675,352 people. Thefigure showed on overall increase of 74%. The East and the Mid-West rejected the figures from theNorth and the West. The Northren and Western Regional Premiers, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Chief S.L. Akintolathreatened fire. The students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)protested against the figures. Serious controversy was generated over thecensus figures. Finally the Prime Minister, Sir Alhaji Abukakar Tafawa Balewa nepotically accepted the figures andused them in National Economic Planning.

