President Bola Tinubu has turned down a proposed ₦942 billion budget for Nigeria’s upcoming housing and population census. Instead, he has called for cost-cutting measures to ensure the exercise is done at a lower cost.
The National Population Commission (NPC) had proposed nearly ₦1 trillion for the census, but Tinubu found the amount too high. During a meeting with NPC officials at the State House on February 24, 2025, he insisted on finding ways to reduce costs. He announced plans to set up a committee to review the budget and make it more realistic.
To save money, Tinubu suggested that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) be recruited to assist in conducting the census. This would help reduce personnel costs and make the process more affordable for the government.
Tinubu also emphasized the importance of accurate population data for national planning. He said that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) should be involved in the process to ensure proper data management. According to him, biometric technology, including facial and voice recognition, should be central to the census.
Nigeria has struggled to conduct a census since the last one in 2006. Various challenges, including lack of funding, security concerns, and political transitions, have caused repeated delays. The 2023 census was postponed due to budget constraints and other factors.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said that census data is crucial for planning and resource allocation. He mentioned that several agencies, including the NPC, NIMC, and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), are working together to optimize existing data and reduce costs.
NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra confirmed that 760,000 tablets had already been acquired for the census and stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria. He added that the commission would seek financial support from development partners once the President officially approves the census.
With Tinubu pushing for a cost-effective approach, the government must now find ways to conduct the census without overspending.
