House of Representatives Launches Probe into N800bn Expenditure for Postponed 2023 Census

The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the utilization of the N800 billion approved by the Federal Government for the postponed 2023 Population and Housing Census, as revealed by a motion put forth by Mr. Dominic Okafor, representing Aguta Federal Constituency in Anambra State. The census, initially scheduled for May 3-7, 2023, was indefinitely postponed during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Okafor pointed out that despite the delay, the National Population Commission (NPC) has already expended N200 billion of the budgeted amount. He emphasized that these funds could have significantly impacted the lives of many Nigerians and enhanced the distribution of essential relief measures nationwide.

Calling for a concrete timeline for the census, Okafor urged President Bola Tinubu to take action, warning that failure to do so could render the data gathered thus far invalid.

Supporting the motion, Usman Jaha, the lawmaker representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, emphasized that the prevailing security challenges in various regions, including the North-East, North-West, and North-Central, made it impractical to conduct a population census.

The House of Representatives, in endorsing the motion, set aside the request to pick a specific date for the census and opted instead to investigate the expenses related to the postponed census. The responsibility of providing appropriate advice on this matter was handed over to the Committee on Population by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.