Account for N129.5bn disbursed for botched 2023 Census, BudgiT tackles NPC

National Population Commission has been challenged to account for the N129.5 billion released for the 2023 census, which was aborted.

A statement made by Tracka, a programme of BudgIT Foundation said the huge sum of money taken from public treasury of Nigeria must be openly accounted for by the National Population Commission, which did not continue with the 2023 census as planned.

The statement signed by Misturah Owolabi, Head, Communications of BudgIT Foundation, said it was curious for the NPC to continue to keep silence on the public funds, nearly three years after it was disbursed for a census that was not conducted.

Giving a breakdown of how the N129.5 billion was disbursed by the NPC, BudgIT said: Our independent tracking has revealed that disbursements were made, among others, for the following items: N118.38 billion for Personal Digital Assistants and Accessories, N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles, N499.8 million for power banks and N106.19 million for an e-recruitment portal.

Tracka said the continued silence of NPC on the huge sum of public fund raises fundamental questions as the commission has even refused to respond to the issue after it wrote for answers under the Freedom of Information Act, a law requiring public offices to respond to enquiries within three weeks.

The accountability project agency said: “What makes this crisis more alarming is what we have found in the public expenditure records.

Tracka unravelled payments totalling N129.5 billion made to various contractors and service providers in connection with activities related to the conduct of the suspended 2023 National Population Census between February 2022 and December 2023.

“The census, which was announced, partially mobilised, and ultimately truncated without a single enumeration result being published, has consumed billions of naira of public funds with no corresponding public accountability.

These figures raise questions that the National Population Commission has, to date, refused to answer.

“In keeping with our commitment to evidence-based accountability, Tracka formally wrote to the National Population Commission on 19 February 2026, under Reference No. TRK/FOI/NPC/001, invoking the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The letter, addressed to the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. (Dr.) Aminu Yusuf, specifically requested: “First, the total amount of funds released and disbursed for the 2023 Population Census exercise from inception to date. Second, a full breakdown of all disbursements, including amounts, dates, beneficiaries, and the purpose for which each payment was made.

Third, the expected deliverables or outcomes tied to the funds disbursed so far. Fourth, the current status of the census project and any revised timelines for completion. Fifth, any monitoring, evaluation, or audit reports concerning the use of these funds.

“The letter was received and officially acknowledged by the Office of the Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission on 2 March 2026. That stamp is on record.

As of today, March 26, 2026, more than three weeks after receipt, the National Population Commission has provided no response, no acknowledgement of the specific requests, and no indication that a response is forthcoming.

“This silence is not an administrative delay. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2011, a public institution is required to respond within seven days.

The National Population Commission is now in clear violation of Nigerian law.
According to Joshua Osiyemi, the Head of Tracka, “We recognise that for some, N129.5 billion is an abstraction, a large figure in a country accustomed to large figures.

We want to be clear about what this money was supposed to deliver and what its absence means in practical terms.

An accurate, credible population census is not a statistical exercise. It is the foundation upon which every serious development decision in a modern state is built.