A civic technology platform, Tracka, has raised concerns over the whereabouts of N129.5 billion reportedly earmarked for Nigeria’s stalled population census, demanding explanations from the National Population Commission (NPC).
In a detailed report and a Freedom of Information (FoI) request letter dated March 2, and made public via its official X handle yesterday, 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, reports The Guardian.
“Between February 2022 and December 2023, we tracked that N129.5 billion was paid for different activities related to the conduct of the truncated population census. So, our simple question is: Where did the money go?” the organisation stated.
Tracka revealed that it had formally written to NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, on March 2, 2026, requesting details on the disbursement of funds, but claimed there had been no response.
The request was contained in an FoI 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.
It 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, N499.8 million 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 (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Assembly to investigate the expenditure.
