President Bola Tinubu has turned down the National Population Commission’s (NPC) proposed N942 billion budget for the national housing and population census, opting instead for a more cost-effective approach that includes deploying members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as enumerators.
The decision, announced after a meeting with NPC officials on February 24, 2025, at the State House, underscores the administration’s commitment to financial prudence amidst economic constraints.
Rationale Behind Tinubu’s Decision
The rejection of the nearly N1 trillion budget stems from concerns over excessive government spending, particularly at a time when Nigeria faces pressing economic challenges, including inflation, dwindling revenue, and debt obligations. According to sources present at the meeting, Tinubu stressed the need for cost-cutting measures, stating, “This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path.”
The President directed the formation of a committee to reassess the budget and ensure that the census aligns with Nigeria’s current financial realities. In doing so, Tinubu emphasized the need for a leaner approach that integrates existing government resources, such as the NYSC, to reduce personnel costs significantly.
The Proposal to Use NYSC Members
A key component of Tinubu’s cost-reduction strategy is the deployment of NYSC members to serve as census enumerators. The President’s rationale is that these young graduates, who are already engaged in national service, can be trained to carry out the census at a fraction of the cost of hiring external personnel.
While this approach could save billions of naira, concerns have been raised about its feasibility.
Experts argue that NYSC members may lack the experience and technical expertise required for such a large-scale data collection exercise. Additionally, logistical issues, such as training, security, and mobility, could pose significant challenges.
Challenges Facing the Census
Nigeria’s national census has been plagued by delays since the last enumeration in 2006. The NPC had originally planned to conduct the census in 2023, but budget constraints, political transitions, and security concerns forced multiple postponements.
Although the commission has invested in digital mapping and biometric data collection to improve accuracy, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures in capturing Nigeria’s vast and mobile population.
Furthermore, insecurity in some regions, particularly in the North-East and North-West, could hinder census operations. The presence of armed groups and the high number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) present additional challenges for data collection. While the President’s decision to integrate NYSC members may address budget concerns, it does not resolve these security risks.
Reactions to the Decision
Tinubu’s rejection of the budget has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. Supporters of the move commend the President for prioritizing fiscal responsibility, arguing that a leaner census budget will free up funds for other critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
However, critics warn that reducing the budget too drastically could compromise the quality and accuracy of the census.
Experts in demographic studies caution that deploying NYSC members, while cost-effective, may not guarantee the reliability of data collection, especially in complex environments.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has indicated that the government is working on integrating data from various sources, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and voter registration records, to enhance the census’s effectiveness.
Way Forward
As Nigeria moves closer to conducting the long-overdue census, Tinubu’s administration must strike a balance between cost efficiency and data accuracy. The proposed committee will play a critical role in determining how best to optimize resources without compromising the integrity of the exercise.
One possible approach is a hybrid model that combines NYSC members with trained professionals from the NPC and other relevant agencies.
Additionally, leveraging technology for remote data collection and verification could further reduce costs while maintaining data quality.
Ultimately, the success of the census will depend on how well the government manages logistics, security, and public trust in the process.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Tinubu’s cost-cutting measures will facilitate a smooth and credible census or create new challenges that could further delay the exercise.
President Tinubu’s rejection of the N942 billion census budget reflects a broader strategy of fiscal discipline, but it also raises questions about the practical execution of the exercise.
While using NYSC members as census enumerators could save costs, the government must ensure that data accuracy and security concerns are not compromised.
As the administration fine-tunes its approach, all eyes will be on the upcoming committee’s recommendations and the NPC’s ability to deliver a credible national census within a reasonable budget.
