Problems arising from population census in Nigeria are mainly caused by unreliable census figures, which are mainly caused by political manipulation of the elites.
For instance, when the result of 1962 census was published, the then census Commissioner, Mr.T. Warren criticized the figure as unrealistic Consequently, the then Minister for Economic Development, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, cancelled the census. Another was then conducted in November 1963. The figures returned again showed that Northern Region had 29.8 million Eastern 12.4 million, Western Region 10.3 million and the mid West 2.5 million while Lagos had 675,352 people. The figure showed on overall increase of 74%.
The East and the Mid-West rejected the figures from the North and the West. the Northern and Western Regional Premiers, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Chief S.L. Akintola threatened fire. The students of the University of Nigeria. Nsukka (UNN) protested against the figures. Serious controversy was generated over the census figures.
Finally the Prime Minister, Sir Alhaji Abukakar Tafawa Balewa nepotically accepted the figures and used them in National Economic Planning.