President Bola Tinubu has rejected a N942 billion proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the national housing and population census, insisting on cost-cutting measures.
At a meeting on February 24, 2025, Tinubu emphasised the need for a more affordable approach, suggesting that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) be deployed to reduce personnel costs.
“This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path,” Tinubu said. “I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?”
A government official disclosed that while Tinubu supports conducting the census, he believes the cost must be reduced. “The money they were proposing is around N942bn. That is almost N1tn. And the President felt it was too much. That is why he said a committee will review it because that cost must come down.”
Another source confirmed Tinubu’s push to involve NYSC members. “He was even suggesting that they recruit corps members to make it cheaper,” the source said.
The President also stressed the importance of biometric capturing and integrating multiple identification features, including facial and voice recognition, to ensure accuracy. “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty,” he said.
Since the last census in 2006, Nigeria has faced repeated delays due to funding challenges, insecurity, and logistical issues. The 2023 census was postponed amid budget constraints and political transitions. Under Tinubu’s administration, concerns remain over timing and methodology.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the census data’s importance for future planning and resource distribution. “We have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies… NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency to optimize available data.”
NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra assured that 760,000 tablets for the census had been secured with the Central Bank of Nigeria and that the commission would engage development partners once Tinubu approves the census.
