A civic technology platform, Tracka, has raised serious concerns over the whereabouts of N129.5 billion spent under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration on Nigeria’s postponed population census, calling on the National Population Commission (NPC) to provide a detailed account of the funds.

In a report and Freedom of Information (FOI) request made public on its official X handle on Wednesday, Tracka questioned why Nigeria continues to operate without updated demographic data despite the massive expenditure recorded between February 2022 and December 2023. Nigeria’s last successful census was conducted in 2006.

“Between February 2022 and December 2023, we tracked that N129.5 billion was paid for different activities related to the truncated population census. So our simple question: Where did the money go?” the group stated.

BudgIT Tracka
BudgIT Tracka
Tracka disclosed that it formally wrote to NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, on March 2, 2026, requesting details of the disbursement, but said no response had been received. The initial FOI letter, dated February 19, 2026, and signed by Tracka Head, Osiemi Joshua, sought comprehensive information, including the total funds released, breakdown of disbursements, dates of payments, beneficiaries such as contractors and consultants, and expected deliverables tied to the spending.

According to the group, its independent tracking showed that significant amounts were allocated to various items, including N118.38 billion for Personal Digital Assistants and accessories, N2.47 billion for Hilux vehicles, N499.8 million for power banks, and N106.19 million for an e-recruitment portal. Despite these expenditures, there has been no official update on the outcome or current status of the census exercise.

Tracka warned that the absence of accurate population data continues to affect governance and public service delivery across the country.

“Without accurate population data, children end up in overcrowded classrooms, hospitals and primary healthcare centres are underprovided, governments struggle to allocate resources fairly, and development planning suffers,” it said.

The organisation called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the National Assembly, to investigate the spending.

Only persons below 18 will be issued birth certificates — NPC
Only persons below 18 will be issued birth certificates — NPC
“N129.5 billion is public money and Nigerians deserve answers. A country cannot plan its future without knowing its people,” the statement added.

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The FOI request also sought monitoring and audit reports, the current status of the census project, and any revised timelines for completion, noting that the request was made in the public interest to promote transparency and accountability.

The 2023 national population census was postponed by the Federal Government, leaving Nigeria without updated demographic data nearly two decades after the 2006 exercise.