Bereton School Unveils CenData: A Smarter Way to Collect Census Data
In many African countries, the process of collecting census data has long been slow, expensive, and riddled with inefficiencies. According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), as of 2022, 21 African countries had not conducted a census in the last 10 years. Traditional paper-based methods can lead to data delays of over five years from collection to publication.
At the Reimagine Africa 2023 Hackathon, a group of students from Bereton School in Port Harcourt set out to change that. Their solution, CenData, is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify the process of collecting and collating census data. As the students explain, “Our goal is to streamline the data collection process, making it efficient and accessible for everyone.”
They showcased CenData at the Reimagine Africa Conference in March 2025, in the exhibition arena tagged The Candy Store of Disruption.
Their stand became a focal point within the space, attracting the interest of key delegates and demonstrating a vital bridge between innovative technology and real governance needs.
The innovation is exceptionally timely. Nigeria’s planned 2023 census was estimated to have a budget of nearly ₦169 billion (approximately $212 million at the time), underscoring the immense costs of traditional systems. The potential for efficiency gains is continent-wide; the World Bank has highlighted that digital identification and data systems can reduce the cost of government-to-person payments by up to 90%, illustrating the profound savings possible with digitization. Furthermore, a study published in the ‘Statistical Journal of the IAOS’ found that digital data collection can improve data quality and reduce the time between collection and availability of results by more than 60% compared to paper-based methods. CenData points to a future where the census process can be faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.
The Bereton team – Usman Wunti Maimunah, Bryan Chigozirim Victor-Okahia, Chimezunema Victor Wodi, Eke Henry Ugochukwu Jackson, and Richard David – may still be students, but their work is already sparking conversations about how African nations can harness digital solutions to tackle long-standing governance challenges.
From a hackathon idea to a platform captivating industry leaders at The Candy Store of Disruption, CenData reflects the promise of Africa’s next generation: a generation determined to transform challenges into opportunities for the continent.
