Amid Economic Strain, NPC Insists on N693.3M for 2024 Delayed Census 

In a challenging economic climate, the National Population Commission (NPC) is resolute in its pursuit of N693.3 million for the postponed 2024 national population and housing census. This budget request marks a significant increase compared to the N10.52 million allocated for the same purpose in the 2023 budget.

Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, and the NPC’s request for increased funding for the 2024 delayed census remains a contentious issue. With budget allocations and expenditures already under scrutiny, the government faces the task of balancing the need for an accurate census with its financial constraints. The outcome of this debate will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of data collection and population management in Nigeria.

NPC’s quest for census funding

The NPC is seeking N693.3 million in the 2024 budget to conduct the postponed national population and housing census. This allocation request is notably higher than the N10.52 million requested for the same fiscal item in the approved 2023 budget.

Budget allocation and census-related expenses

Surprisingly, the approved budget for 2023 already included an allocation of N30 billion for outstanding activities related to the postponed 2023 census. Additionally, the proposed 2024 budget reveals other census-related allocations totaling about N122.2 million. 

These allocations include, National Population Data Bank and Database Management: N20,000,000, Preparation of EAD Concept Manual: N200,000, Second Pretest: N500,000, Stakeholders Conference: N5,000,000, Census in Schools: N5,000,000, Development of Small Area Databases: N500,000, Field Demarcation in LGAs: N500,000, Intercensal Population Activities: N5,000,000, Census Publicity and Advocacy: N60,000,000, Census Research, Documentation, and Archiving: N20,000,000, Cartographic Consumables: N500,000, Commemoration of World Population Day: N5,000,000

The controversy surrounding census funding

Last year, the NPC declared that N532.7 billion would be required to conduct the national census in Nigeria. However, the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, argued that a total of N869 billion was necessary, with the government having committed N291.5 billion and an additional N327.2 billion required.

The census was originally scheduled for May 3-7, 2023, but it was indefinitely postponed by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite the postponement, the NPC has admitted to having spent N200 billion on planning and executing various aspects of the census.

The current status of census preparation

During the Commission’s 2024 budget defense at the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja, the House of Representatives Committee on Population urged the Federal Government to expedite the census preparation process. The committee maintained that with the preparation process currently at 80%, there should not impede conducting the national census as planned.