Census crisis 1962/63 - SS3 Government Lesson Note

The Census crisis of 1962/63 was a political crisis in Nigeria that was sparked by disagreements over the country's population data. The crisis began when the federal government conducted a census to determine the population of Nigeria. The census results were controversial and led to accusations of fraud and manipulation.

Many people felt that the census was designed to favor certain regions and ethnic groups over others. Some regions and ethnic groups felt that they had been undercounted, while others felt that they had been overcounted. This led to protests and demonstrations across the country, and tensions between different groups began to rise.

The crisis reached a boiling point when the federal government attempted to use the census data to redraw the boundaries of electoral districts. This move was seen as an attempt to gerrymander the electoral map and manipulate the political process.

The crisis led to a breakdown in trust between different groups in Nigeria and fueled existing regional and ethnic tensions. It also led to the formation of new political parties and alliances, as different groups attempted to organize and mobilize to defend their interests.

Ultimately, the crisis was resolved through a combination of negotiation and compromise. The federal government agreed to review the census results and make adjustments to ensure greater accuracy and fairness. However, the crisis left a lasting impact on Nigerian politics and society, and many of the issues and tensions that were raised during this period continue to be felt today.