…Tracka Seeks Urgent Disclosure Under FOI Act
… Laments Absence Of Reliable Population Data Since 2006
Daud Olatunji
A civic accountability group, Tracka, has expressed outrage over the alleged expenditure of N129.5bn on Nigeria’s suspended 2023 national population census, describing the situation as a major breach of public trust amid the absence of published results.
The group, in a statement on Friday, said the development underscores Nigeria’s long-standing data deficit, noting that the country has not conducted a credible census since 2006, a gap it warned continues to undermine governance, planning, and equitable distribution of resources.
According to Tracka, analysis of public expenditure records revealed that about N118.38bn was spent on Personal Digital Assistants and accessories, while N2.47bn was allocated to Hilux vehicles, in addition to other logistics and infrastructure costs tied to the exercise.
Despite the significant financial commitment, the organisation said the census was only partially implemented before it was suspended, with no official enumeration results released to Nigerians.
It described the situation as a glaring accountability lapse, raising concerns over transparency and the value derived from such a massive public investment.
Tracka added that it had formally written to the National Population Commission under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, demanding a full breakdown of the funds spent, the deliverables achieved, and the current status of the census project.
However, the group expressed disappointment that more than three weeks after the request was acknowledged, the commission had yet to provide any response, a delay it said contravenes the provisions of the FOI Act.
The organisation called for the immediate release of the requested information, insisting that transparency is essential to restoring public confidence in government institutions and ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
It further warned that Nigeria’s continued reliance on outdated population data poses serious risks to effective policy formulation, economic planning, and fair allocation of national resources across critical sectors.
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