The Federal Government has allocated N1.1 billion in the 2025 budget for the national population and housing census, which has been delayed for years. This amount represents an increase from the N693.3 million set aside in 2024. Additional census-related allocations of N527 million have also been included in the 2025 budget, currently under review by the National Assembly.
The allocated funds will cover various census-related activities, including:
– National Population Data Bank*: N78 million for the Nigerian population database management system, geo-portal hosting of population website and web portal.
– Enumeration Area Demarcation*: N2.7 million for the preparation of the concept manual.
– Census Programmes in Schools*: N10 million.
– Second Pretest*: N25 million.
– Stakeholders Conference*: N10 million to present the 2018 census instrument.
– Small Area Database Development*: N2.5 million for spatial analysis and dissemination.
-Field Demarcation*: N2 million in 774 local government areas.
Other allocations include N17.7 million for intercensal population activities, N247.3 million for census publicity and advocacy, N40 million for census research and documentation, N2.3 million for cartographic consumables, and N90 million for the commemoration of World Population Day/Annual Population Census Day.
Nigeria’s last census was conducted in 2006, despite the United Nations’ recommendation for countries to conduct population counts every 10 years. The national census, initially scheduled for May 2023, was postponed indefinitely during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The National Population Commission (NPC) had estimated that N532.7 billion would be required to conduct the census, later revised to N869 billion.
