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ABUJA – The National Population Commission (NPC) is facing a firestorm of scrutiny as civic tech platform Tracka demands answers regarding N129.5 billion released for a national census that has yet to take place.
Despite the massive financial outlay between February 2022 and December 2023, Nigeria has not conducted a successful census in 20 years, with the last exercise dating back to 2006.
Where Did the Money Go?
Tracka, through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, has highlighted several "mind-boggling" expenditures tied to the suspended 2023 census. According to their independent tracking, the funds were reportedly spent on:
- N118.38 Billion: Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and accessories.
- N2.47 Billion: Toyota Hilux vehicles.
- N499.8 Million: Power banks.
- N106.19 Million: An e-recruitment portal.
The Governance Gap
The organization warned that the lack of updated demographic data is crippling Nigeria's development.
"Without accurate population data, children end up in overcrowded classrooms, hospitals are under-provided, and governments struggle to allocate resources fairly," Tracka stated.
Calls for Investigation
Tracka has formally called on the EFCC, ICPC, and the National Assembly to launch a full-scale probe into the NPC’s books. They are demanding a full list of beneficiaries, contractors, and consultants who received payments during the two-year period.
As of today, March 25, 2026, the NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, has yet to respond to the FOI request.
Key Takeaways for Information Hub Readers:
- The Total: N129.5 billion spent with zero census results.
- The Tech: Nearly N119 billion went toward digital devices (PDAs) that haven't been used for a headhunt.
- The Delay: Nigeria’s last census was in 2006; we are currently planning blindly without real numbers.
- The Demand: Nigerians are rallying under the hashtag to demand transparency.
