The Controversial 1973 Census Under General Yakubu Gowon

Nigeria’s last military-conducted census and its political and historical significance.

This front page of New Nigerian Newspapers dated November 24, 1973 captures the lead-up to Nigeria’s national census, set to begin the following day, November 25, 1973. The cover price was 4 kobo, reflecting the newspaper’s accessibility at the time.
The headline read:

“1973 CENSUS BEGINS ‘MORROW”

This announcement marked the start of what was officially termed the “Big Count,” a military-led population census under Head of State General Yakubu Gowon.

Context

Purpose: The government intended the census to provide accurate demographic data to inform economic planning, representation, and resource allocation.

Controversy: Despite its official goals, the 1973 census quickly became contentious, with widespread debates about the accuracy of figures reported by different regions. Critics claimed that political and ethnic considerations influenced the final results, fuelling distrust in official statistics.

National Broadcast: General Gowon addressed the nation on the evening of November 24, 1973, signaling the government’s emphasis on national participation and transparency.

Newspaper Features

Advertisements: The front page also included business ads, such as HALIBROS (Nigeria) Ltd, a haulage and transport company operating in Kano and Apapa.

Editorial Focus: Articles highlighted the scale of the census, urging Nigerians to cooperate and emphasizing the significance of reliable data for national development.

Historical Significance

The 1973 census is remembered as the last conducted under a military regime in Nigeria. Its results continue to be cited in discussions of demographic growth, federal resource allocation, and electoral representation, despite longstanding disputes over its credibility.
It remains a stark reminder of the challenges Nigeria has faced in conducting nationwide population exercises amid political pressures.

Source

New Nigerian Newspapers, 24 November 1973