Tinubu rejects N942 Billion Census budget, proposes NYSC members

President Bola Tinubu has turned down the National Population Commission’s (NPC) proposed N942 billion budget for the upcoming national population and housing census, calling it excessive

To reduce costs, he suggested deploying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members instead of hiring additional personnel.

During a meeting at the State House on February 24, 2025, with NPC officials led by Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra, Tinubu stressed the need for a more cost-effective approach. He directed the formation of a committee to review the budget and explore alternative funding sources.

“We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census,” Tinubu said, emphasizing the importance of securing domestic resources before seeking external assistance.

He also underscored the need for accurate population data in national planning, particularly in employment, agriculture, and resource allocation. To enhance efficiency, he called for the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) into the census process.

“This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path,” Tinubu stated, expressing frustration with past inconsistencies in census planning.

His proposal to use NYSC members aligns with his administration’s broader cost-cutting measures. By utilizing existing human resources, the government aims to obtain reliable population data without the high personnel costs in the NPC’s budget.

While details of the review committee and its timeline remain undisclosed, further updates are expected as planning progresses.

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