President Bola Tinubu has turned down the ₦942 billion budget proposed by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the upcoming national census. He insists that the exercise must be done at a much lower cost.
At a meeting in the State House on Monday, Tinubu made it clear that he would not approve such a massive budget. Instead, he suggested using members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for enumeration to cut down costs.
He also set up a committee to review the budget and ensure it aligns with the country’s financial situation.
“This stop-and-go approach to the census won’t work with me. We need a clear path,” Tinubu said, according to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Cheaper, More Efficient Census
Tinubu also directed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) should play a bigger role in the census. He believes biometric capturing, including facial and voice recognition, will improve accuracy and prevent data duplication. He stressed that alternative funding sources must be secured before turning to international development partners for support.
Nigeria has not held a census since 2006. The 2023 exercise, initially planned under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed due to financial constraints, political transitions, and security issues.
Tinubu says he remains committed to holding the census but wants a cost-effective solution that maximizes existing government resources. “The President’s position is clear: the census must happen, but at a lower cost,” an official source reportedly said.
With Tinubu’s directives, the NPC now faces the challenge of adjusting its budget while ensuring a reliable and comprehensive population count. The committee’s recommendations will determine the next steps for the long-awaited census.
Like 👍, Comment, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
Feel free to download and share our Daily Newsletter for Thursday, March 06, 2025. 👇
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
