President Bola Tinubu has rejected the National Population Commission’s (NPC) proposed budget of ₦942 billion for the upcoming national housing and population census, deeming it excessively high. In a meeting held on February 24, 2025, at the State House, Tinubu suggested deploying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members nationwide to reduce personnel costs associated with the census.
During the briefing by NPC officials, led by Chairman Nasir Kwarra, Tinubu emphasized the need for a more cost-effective approach. He announced plans to establish a committee to reassess the budget in line with Nigeria’s economic realities, stating, “I will set up a committee to critically examine the issues, identify funding sources, and determine what we can afford before moving ahead.”
A top government official confirmed Tinubu’s support for conducting the census but insisted that the nearly ₦1 trillion budget was unsustainable. The President’s proposal to utilize NYSC members aims to significantly cut down expenses by reducing the need for hiring thousands of temporary census workers.
Tinubu also underscored the crucial role of accurate population data in national planning, particularly for sectors like employment, agriculture, and resource distribution. He highlighted the importance of integrating data from multiple sources, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to streamline government programs and ensure efficient resource allocation.
The last Nigerian census was conducted in November 2006, with subsequent attempts facing delays due to funding challenges, regional insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Tinubu’s administration aims to overcome these hurdles by adopting cost-effective measures and leveraging existing resources to achieve a successful and accurate census.
