Nigerian Population Commission Faces Scrutiny Over N129.5billion Funds Released For Census That Never Held

A civic technology platform Tracka has raised concerns over the whereabouts of N129.5billion allegedly spent on Nigeria’s stalled population census, demanding explanations from the National Population Commission (NPC) over the utilisation of the funds.

In a detailed report and a Freedom of Information (FOI) request letter dated March 2, and made public via its official X handle on Wednesday, the group questioned why Nigeria remains without updated demographic data despite the massive financial outlay between February 2022 and December 2023.

Nigeria’s last successful census was conducted two decades ago, in 2006.

“Between February 2022 and December 2023, we tracked that N129.5bn was paid for different activities related to the conduct of the truncated population census. So our simple question: Where did the money go?” the organisation said.

Tracka revealed that it had formally written to NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, on March 2, 2026, requesting details on the disbursement of funds, but claimed there had been no response.

The request was contained in a Freedom of Information letter dated February 19, 2026, signed by Head of Tracka, Osiemi Joshua. The letter, addressed to the NPC, sought “detailed information regarding funds disbursed in respect of the suspended 2023 Population Census exercise.”

Specifically, the group requested the total amount released for the census, breakdown of disbursements, dates of payments, beneficiaries including contractors and consultants, and the expected deliverables tied to the spending.

Tracka said its independent tracking showed that large sums were spent on various items, including N118.38 billion for Personal Digital Assistants and accessories, N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles, N499.8million for power banks, and N106.19 million for an e-recruitment portal.

“Yet Nigerians still do not know the full details, outcomes, or the current status of the census exercise,” the group stated.

The organisation warned that the absence of accurate population data affects governance and public service delivery. “Without accurate population data, children end up in overcrowded classrooms, hospitals and primary health centres are under provided, governments struggle to allocate resources fairly, and development planning suffers,” it added.

Tracka also called on anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the National Assembly of Nigeria to investigate the expenditure.

“N129.5bn is public money and Nigerians deserve answers. A country cannot plan its future without knowing its people,” the statement concluded, using the hashtag #publicfundsmustworkforthegoodofthepeople to rally public support for the inquiry.

The FOI letter further requested information on monitoring and audit reports, the current status of the census project, and any revised timelines for completion, noting that the request was made “in the interest of the public” to enhance transparency and accountability.

The 2023 national population census was postponed by the Federal Government, leaving Nigeria without updated demographic data nearly two decades after the 2006 exercise.(SaharaReporters)