Nigerian Population Commission Faces Scrutiny Over N129.5 billion Census Funds

Nigerian Population Commission Faces Scrutiny Over Census Funds

The Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) is under intense scrutiny following allegations of mismanagement of N129.5 billion allocated for a national census that never took place. Civic technology platform Tracka has voiced concerns over the use of these funds, demanding transparency and accountability from the NPC regarding the expenditure.

Background.

Nigeria's last successful population census was conducted in 2006, and since then, the country has lacked updated demographic data. The absence of this crucial information has implications for policy-making, resource allocation, and planning. The reported funds were supposed to facilitate a new census between February 2022 and December 2023, but the exercise was postponed, leaving many unanswered questions.

Inquiry.

In a report accompanied by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Tracka highlighted the substantial financial outlay without corresponding results. The group publicly questioned the NPC's usage of funds via their official social media handle, expressing concerns over the lack of updated demographic data despite significant spending.

FOI Request Details

Tracka's FOI request, dated February 19, 2026, was addressed to NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra. It sought comprehensive details on the disbursement of funds for the suspended 2023 census, including:

1. Total amount released for the census
2. Breakdown of disbursements
3. Dates of payments
4. Beneficiaries, including contractors and consultants
5. Expected deliverables tied to the spending

Financial Breakdown.

Tracka's independent investigation uncovered that significant sums were spent on various items:

1. N118.38 billion for Personal Digital Assistants and accessories
2. N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles
3. N499.8 million for power banks
4. N106.19 million for an e-recruitment portal

Lack of Response.

Despite Tracka's formal correspondence with the NPC, there has been no response from the commission. The lack of communication has raised further suspicions and calls for accountability from civil society and the general public.

Conclusion

The scrutiny over the NPC's handling of the census funds highlights the need for transparency and accountability in government expenditures. With Nigeria's pressing need for updated demographic data, the situation underscores the urgency for a successful and transparent census process in the near future.