The National Population Commission is facing growing pressure to explain how N129.5 billion allocated for the 2023 population census was spent after the exercise was suspended without producing results. Tracka, a civic accountability initiative under BudgIT Foundation, has publicly questioned the commission’s silence nearly three years after the funds were released.
In a statement issued on Friday, Tracka described the lack of transparency as alarming, noting that billions of naira from public funds were disbursed for a project that was never completed. According to its findings, the largest portion of the funds, about N118.38 billion, was used for Personal Digital Assistants and accessories. Other expenditures included N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles, N499.8 million for power banks, and N106.19 million for an electronic recruitment portal.
Tracka revealed that it formally requested detailed information from the commission in February 2026 under the Freedom of Information Act. The request sought a full breakdown of disbursements, expected outcomes, and the current status of the census project. Although the request was acknowledged in early March, the commission has yet to provide any response, exceeding the legally required timeframe.
The organization stressed that a credible population census is essential for national planning, resource allocation, healthcare development, and fair political representation. Without accurate data, policymakers continue to rely on outdated estimates, affecting millions of Nigerians.
Tracka has called on anti corruption agencies and the National Assembly to investigate the matter and ensure full accountability. It warned that the continued silence undermines public trust and reflects deeper governance challenges.
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