President Bola Tinubu has rejected the proposed N942 billion budget for the national census, citing the need for a more cost-effective approach. Instead, he suggests utilizing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to handle the exercise, which would significantly reduce personnel costs.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of financial prudence and proposed alternative measures to reduce expenses. He announced plans to establish a committee to reassess the budget and align it with the government’s current financial realities.
The President stressed that accurate data is essential for planning in areas like employment, agriculture, and food security. He also highlighted the need for biometric capturing, including facial and voice recognition, to enhance accuracy and minimize duplication.
The National Population Commission (NPC) had proposed the initial budget, but Tinubu found it excessive. The commission has already procured 760,000 tablets, which are stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
