President Bola Tinubu has rejected a N942 billion proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the conduct of the national housing and population census. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the President emphasized the need for cost-cutting measures during a meeting with top officials of the NPC at the State House on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Tinubu, while expressing his commitment to conducting the census, insisted that the proposed budget of nearly N1 trillion was too high. He suggested innovative measures to reduce costs, including the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the exercise. The President also promised to set up a committee to review the census budget and align it with the government’s current financial realities.
President Tinubu’s Stance on Census Costs
During the meeting, President Tinubu made it clear that he would not tolerate the repeated delays and inefficiencies that have plagued previous census efforts. “This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu further emphasized the importance of accurate data for national planning, stating, “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 also highlighted the need for biometric capturing, including facial and voice recognition, to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the census data.
Proposed Cost-Cutting Measures
One of the key cost-cutting measures proposed by President Tinubu is the massive deployment of NYSC members across the country to reduce personnel costs. “He was even suggesting that they recruit youth corps members to make it cheaper,” revealed an insider at the meeting.
The President also stressed the importance of leveraging existing resources and seeking support from development partners. “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners,” Tinubu said.
Challenges and Delays in Conducting the Census
Nigeria’s last national housing and population census was conducted in November 2006. Since then, efforts to conduct a new census have faced numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, insecurity in certain regions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 census, which was initially planned during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed due to overlapping concerns, including budget constraints and political transitions.
Under the Tinubu administration, plans to reschedule the census have also encountered difficulties. The Federal Government remains uncertain about the timing, methodology, and how best to capture data on large, mobile populations, including internally displaced persons.
Importance of Accurate Census Data
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, underscored the critical role of census data in national planning and resource distribution. “The census data would be central to future planning and resource distribution,” he said.
Bagudu also highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate data from various government agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Ministry of Digital Economy. “We have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics,” he explained.
NPC’s Preparedness and Next Steps
In his presentation to President Tinubu, NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra assured that the commission was prepared to conduct the census. He revealed that 760,000 tablets had already been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the exercise. Kwarra also expressed the commission’s readiness to engage with development partners for additional support once the President proclaimed the new census.
However, the specifics of the committee proposed by President Tinubu to review the census budget and methodology remain unclear. A source close to the discussions told Saturday PUNCH, “We have heard nothing about that committee for now. It is still being put together as we speak. But the agencies concerned will be on it.”
Looking Ahead
President Tinubu’s rejection of the N942 billion census proposal reflects his administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient resource management. By advocating for cost-cutting measures and leveraging existing resources, the President aims to ensure that the census is conducted in a cost-effective and timely manner.
The success of the census will depend on the ability of the government to address the logistical and financial challenges that have hindered previous efforts. With accurate data, Nigeria can better plan for critical areas such as employment, agriculture, and food security, ultimately driving sustainable development and improving the lives of its citizens.
As the Tinubu administration moves forward with its plans, stakeholders will be closely watching to see how the proposed reforms and cost-cutting measures are implemented. The outcome of the census will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s future, making it a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
