Tinubu Rejects NPC’s N942 Billion Census Budget, Calls For Cost Reduction

President Proposes NYSC Members for Census to Cut Costs

President Bola Tinubu has rejected a proposed ₦942 billion budget from the National Population Commission (NPC) for the upcoming national housing and population census, citing excessive costs. Instead, he has suggested using members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to reduce personnel expenses.

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Tinubu Demands Budget Review

During a February 24, 2025, meeting at the State House, Tinubu met with NPC officials, led by Chairman Nasir Kwarra, and expressed his concerns about the high cost of the census. He announced plans to establish a committee to review the budget and align it with the government’s financial capacity.

“This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path,” Tinubu reportedly stated.

He emphasized the need to critically assess financial sources and expenditure, stating:

“I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?”

NPC’s ₦942 Billion Proposal Deemed Excessive

According to a government insider present at the meeting, the President strongly objected to the high budget.

“The main issue from that meeting was that the money they were proposing was quite much. It is around ₦942 billion. That is almost ₦1 trillion. And the President felt that it was too much. That is why he said there would be a committee to look at the issues altogether because that cost must come down.”

Another official confirmed that Tinubu specifically suggested recruiting NYSC members nationwide to reduce operational costs.

“He was even suggesting that they recruit youth corps members to make it cheaper.”

While Tinubu’s decision to review the budget has been made clear, details regarding the composition and timeline of the review committee remain uncertain.

“We have heard nothing about that committee for now. It is still being put together as we speak. But the agencies concerned will be on it,” another source disclosed.

The Importance of an Accurate Census

Despite his insistence on cost-cutting, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to conducting a reliable and accurate census. He stressed the significance of demographic data for national development, especially in sectors such as employment, agriculture, and food security.

“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty. So many problems come up without accurate data.”

The President also emphasized the need for biometric capturing in the census process to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Nigeria’s Census Delays and Challenges

Nigeria’s last population and housing census took place in November 2006. Multiple attempts to conduct another have been hindered by funding constraints, security challenges, and logistical difficulties.

A census scheduled under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 was postponed due to budget limitations and the political transition following Tinubu’s election.

Next Steps for the NPC

With the NPC’s budget now under review, the commission may need to revise its financial projections and explore alternative cost-effective strategies. The use of NYSC members, as suggested by Tinubu, could be one such approach to reducing expenses while ensuring the census proceeds as planned.

As Nigeria looks to gather accurate demographic data, the challenge remains in balancing financial prudence with the need for a credible census. The final decision on the revised budget and methodology will determine the feasibility and timeline of the long-overdue exercise.