President Bola Tinubu has rejected a N942 billion proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the national housing and population census. Instead, he’s pushing for cost-cutting measures, including deploying National Youth Service Corps members to reduce personnel costs.
The proposed budget was deemed too high by the President, who wants to conduct the census at a lower cost. He’s also emphasized the importance of accurate data for planning and development, stating that without it, Nigeria can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.
The NPC had invested in new technology, including digital mapping and biometric capture, to enhance accuracy and transparency. However, the census has faced repeated delays due to inadequate funding, insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, highlighted the importance of census data for future planning and resource distribution. The NPC chairman also noted that 760,000 tablets had been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the commission would engage with development partners to seek support whenever President Tinubu proclaims the new census.
