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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Census in Nigeria: The Politics and Imperative of Depoliticization
Author:Mimiko, FemiISNI
Year:2006
Periodical:African and Asian Studies
Volume:5
Issue:1
Pages:1-21
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:censuses
politics
Miscellaneous (i.e. Demography, Refugees, Sports)
Politics and Government
Ethnic and Race Relations
External link:https://doi.org/10.1163/156920906775768273
Abstract:This paper demonstrates that the persistent (mis)management of censuses is a key variable in the pattern of political instability and diminishing capacity that have defined the Nigerian State since it attained political independence in 1960. With roots in the highly exploitative and manipulative colonial enterprise, the census crises in Nigeria continue to be sustained in contemporary times by the inherited contradictions that define the nation's political economy. Thus every past census in Nigeria has been a victim of intense elite contestation for power and resources, and therefore rather than enhance the planning and development process of the country, has further impaired it. The paper argues that no census conducted in the context of a largely illegitimate State structure, including the scheduled 2005 edition, will be able to accomplish its set objectives; with the decision by the Nigerian State to deny rather than come to terms with Nigerians' primary forms of identity, ethnic and religious, set to further erode rather than enhance the integrity of the exercise. It concludes that censuses in Nigeria will stop being inverted in their role only when the governance structure becomes wholly decentralized, the federating units become truly so, and censuses as an exercise become wholly depoliticized. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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