Explain how N129.5bn in census funds was spent, BudgiT demands answers from National Population Commission

The National Population Commission has been called upon to provide a detailed account of the N129.5 billion allocated for the 2023 census, which was ultimately not conducted, with the funds in question having been withdrawn from Nigeria's public treasury.

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A statement released by Tracka, a programme of BudgIT Foundation, emphasized that the substantial sum of money must be openly accounted for by the National Population Commission, particularly given that the census did not proceed as planned, with the statement being signed by Misturah Owolabi, Head of Communications at BudgIT Foundation.

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The statement expressed curiosity over the National Population Commission's continued silence regarding the public funds, nearly three years after they were disbursed for a census that was not carried out, with Tracka providing a breakdown of how the N129.5 billion was disbursed, including N118.38 billion for Personal Digital Assistants and Accessories, N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles, N499.8 million for power banks, and N106.19 million for an e-recruitment portal.

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Tracka noted that the National Population Commission's silence on the matter raises fundamental questions, especially since the commission has refused to respond to the issue despite being written to under the Freedom of Information Act, which requires public offices to respond to enquiries within three weeks.

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The agency highlighted that between February 2022 and December 2023, payments totalling N129.5 billion were made to various contractors and service providers in connection with the suspended 2023 National Population Census, with the census having consumed billions of naira in public funds without corresponding public accountability.

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Tracka formally wrote to the National Population Commission on 19 February 2026, invoking the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and specifically requested details such as the total amount of funds released and disbursed for the 2023 Population Census exercise, a full breakdown of all disbursements, and the expected deliverables or outcomes tied to the funds disbursed.

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The letter, addressed to the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. (Dr.) Aminu Yusuf, was received and officially acknowledged by the Office of the Executive Chairman on 2 March 2026, but as of 26 March 2026, the National Population Commission had provided no response, thus violating the Freedom of Information Act 2011, which requires a public institution to respond within seven days.

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Joshua Osiyemi, Head of Tracka, emphasized that an accurate and credible population census is essential for development decisions in a modern state, and without it, issues such as overcrowded classrooms, under-resourced hospitals, and unequal federal allocations to states and local governments persist.

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According to Osiyemi, the absence of a credible census also affects social protection programmes, electoral representation, and the allocation of political seats, resulting in real people, including children, patients, and mothers, being systematically undercounted due to Nigeria's failure to conduct a routine census.

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Tracka demanded that the National Population Commission respond to its Freedom of Information request immediately and in full, publish a comprehensive public account of every naira disbursed for the 2023 census exercise, and provide a clear roadmap for when Nigeria will have a credible population census.

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Tracka also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of the N129.5 billion, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to examine the procurement processes, and the National Assembly Public Account Committee to summon the National Population Commission for a public hearing on the utilisation of census funds.

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Tracka stated that it will continue to track, verify, and publish findings on the use of public funds, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve a government that can be held accountable every day and in every line of the public budget.

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The suspended 2023 census was described by Tracka as a symbol of a governance culture in which billions can be spent, projects can be abandoned, laws can be violated, and institutions can remain silent without consequence, with Tracka vowing to keep asking questions and watching the situation.