The Federal Government has allocated N1.1 billion in the 2025 budget for the long-delayed national population and housing census, an increase from the N693.3 million earmarked in 2024. An additional N527 million has also been allocated for census-related activities, bringing the total census funding in the 2025 budget to approximately N1.6 billion.
The allocations, which are part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under review by the National Assembly, aim to fund a range of census-related activities. These include N78 million for the National Population Data Bank, database management systems, and hosting of the census geo-portal; N2.7 million for updating the Enumeration Area Demarcation concept manual; N10 million for census education programs in schools; N25 million for the second pre-test for census operations; N247.3 million for publicity and advocacy campaigns; and N90 million for commemorating World Population Day and Population Census Day.
Other notable allocations are N40 million for research and documentation of special populations, such as herdsmen, fishermen, and homeless persons; and funds for stakeholder conferences, field demarcation in 774 local government areas, and the development of databases for spatial analysis and dissemination.
The last population census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006, despite the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to hold censuses every 10 years. The national census scheduled for May 2023 was postponed indefinitely by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
At the time, the NPC stated that N532.7 billion would be required to conduct the census, a figure later revised to N869 billion by former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba. The NPC reported spending N200 billion on preparatory activities before the postponement.
In November 2024, NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra expressed optimism that the Presidency would approve the long-awaited census in 2025. He highlighted the importance of updated population data for planning and policymaking, particularly as Nigeria faces significant demographic and economic challenges.
The proposed census funding has sparked discussions about its necessity and cost-efficiency, given Nigeria’s financial constraints. While some stakeholders stress the need for accurate population data, others question the effectiveness of past expenditures and the NPC’s ability to deliver results.
The National Assembly is expected to deliberate on the budget proposal in the coming weeks, including the allocations for the 2025 census. If approved, it will mark a significant step toward conducting Nigeria’s first population count in nearly two decades.
