Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of corpers

President Bola Tinubu has put the brakes on the National Population Commission’s (NPC) ambitious N942 billion budget for the long-awaited national housing and population census. The verdict? Too expensive.

Insiders at the February 24, 2025, meeting at the State House revealed that Tinubu was firm on cost-cutting measures, suggesting a more budget-friendly approach. His solution? Deploy National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to handle the exercise, significantly reducing personnel costs.

After a briefing from NPC officials led by Chairman Nasir Kwarra, the President didn’t outright reject the census but made it clear that the price tag needed trimming. He announced plans to set up a committee to reassess the budget in line with Nigeria’s economic realities.  

A No-Nonsense Approach

In a statement titled *“Nigeria Moves Closer to Fresh Census, President Tinubu to Set Up Committee,”* his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying: 

“This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. We need a definite path forward.”

He further emphasized the need for a financial roadmap before any official proclamation:

“I will set up a committee to critically examine the issues, identify funding sources, and determine what we can afford before moving ahead.”

Trimming the Fat 

A top government official confirmed that while Tinubu supports conducting the census, he insists that nearly N1 trillion is simply too much.  

“The President wants the census to happen, but at a much lower cost. That’s why he is forming a committee to reassess the budget.

Another source at the meeting disclosed that Tinubu proposed mobilizing NYSC members nationwide as a cost-effective alternative to hiring thousands of temporary census workers.

“He suggested using corps members to cut down expenses,” the source revealed.

However, details on the committee’s structure remain unclear, with another insider stating:“

For now, we haven’t received any concrete updates on the committee’s composition. But relevant agencies will definitely be involved.”

Data Matters

At the meeting, Tinubu underscored the crucial role of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in the census process. He stressed that without accurate population data, Nigeria’s planning for employment, agriculture, and resource distribution would remain inefficient.“

We must know who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without accurate numbers, we cannot effectively plan for employment, agriculture, and food security.”

He also highlighted how reliable data could streamline government programs like fertiliser distribution and social benefits.

To ensure transparency, Tinubu wants biometric capturing—featuring facial and voice recognition—at the core of the process. However, he insists that before seeking support from development partners, Nigeria must first sort out its internal financial plan.

“We need to strengthen our financial position before approaching development partners for support. The figures must be worked out first.”  

A Census Plagued by Delays

The last Nigerian census took place in November 2006, and every attempt since then has been met with obstacles. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the NPC made efforts to modernize the process using digital mapping and biometric capture. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, regional insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to repeated postponements.

The 2023 census was scrapped due to a combination of budget constraints and political transitions, leaving stakeholders unable to finalize preparations before Buhari left office.

Tinubu’s administration has faced similar hurdles in rescheduling the census, with ongoing debates on methodology, data collection for mobile populations (such as internally displaced persons), and overall feasibility.

Budget Minister Weighs In 

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized the importance of census data for future resource distribution. He revealed that relevant agencies had been meeting to integrate data from multiple sources, including the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), NIMC, voter records, telecom databases, and even satellite data from the National Space Research and Development Agency.

“We’ve been holding ecosystem meetings to coordinate identity agencies, digital economy ministries, and data collection bodies. The goal is to determine how much reliable data is already available and optimize existing resources before committing to new spending.”  

What’s Next?

NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra assured that 760,000 tablets had already been secured and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria. He added that once Tinubu officially greenlights the census, the commission would engage development partners to seek financial support.

With the President’s demand for cost-cutting, one thing is clear—the census will happen, but at a significantly lower price. The ball is now in the NPC’s court to rework the numbers and deliver a leaner, more efficient plan.