The provisional results of Nigerias first census in 15 years show that Africas most populous nation has a population of more than 140 million, BBC online reports Friday.
The National Population Commission said this was an increase of 63 per cent since 1991. The headcount is sensitive, as funding and political representation for Nigerias states depend on the results.
Previous results have been mired in controversy and allegations of fraud, but March’s census left out questions on religion and ethnicity. The government was concerned that such information would trigger ethnic riots.
The big surprise in the results so far is that Nigeria has three million more men than women. The last census put Nigerias population at about 88,5 million. The higher a states population the more money it gets from the federal government.
