NIGERIA’S POSTPONED CENSUS GETS ₦219BN BUDGET ALLOCATION

Nigeria’s postponed national population and housing census has received at least ₦219.17 billion in budget allocations between 2021 and 2026, despite the exercise remaining pending.

An analysis of federal Appropriation Acts showed that the allocations covered the census itself and related preparatory activities, including field demarcation, staff training, digital mapping, publicity, data management, research, and monitoring.

The funding peaked in 2022, when about ₦180.22 billion was allocated as preparations intensified for what was planned to be Nigeria’s first fully digital census.

However, the planned 2023 census was postponed indefinitely, resulting in a sharp reduction in subsequent allocations. Census-related funding stood at about ₦875.5 million in 2024, rose to ₦1.76 billion in 2025, and fell to approximately ₦1.23 billion in 2026.

Payment records reviewed by The PUNCH also identified at least ₦79.08 billion in census-related transactions, although the data may not represent the government’s complete release history.

The prolonged delay means Nigeria continues to rely on population figures from the 2006 census, despite significant changes in population growth, migration, urbanisation, and economic activity.

President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly expressed support for conducting a new census, but no official date has yet been announced.

Experts say an updated and credible population count is essential for effective planning, resource allocation, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and economic policymaking.