By George Ozalla
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, on Wednesday presented the Commission’s 2025 budget performance report and defended its 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Dr. Yusuf appeared alongside key officials, including the Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Nze Chidi Christopher Ezeoke; Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, Hon. Muhammad Usman Dattijo; Federal Commissioner representing Bayelsa State, Hon. Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo; Acting Director-General, Mrs. Nkechi Odeh; and several directors and technical aides. He highlighted the funding challenges facing the Commission in the 2025 fiscal year.
According to Dr. Yusuf, the Commission was appropriated a total of N36.21 billion for capital, overhead, and personnel expenditures in 2025. He explained that of the N18.28 billion capital cost allocated for the year, no funds were released, severely constraining the Commission’s activities. Only 41 percent of the N1.17 billion overhead cost was disbursed, while personnel costs, processed through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, were fully implemented.
The absence of capital releases, he said, hindered infrastructural upgrades and other key projects critical to the Commission’s operations. Looking ahead, Dr. Yusuf disclosed that the 2026 budget proposal stands at N12.79 billion for capital projects, N1.17 billion for overhead, and N15.54 billion for personnel costs. He urged the Senate to ensure timely and adequate release of funds to enable the Commission to meet its statutory responsibilities.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population, Senator Victor Umeh, condemned the non-release of appropriated capital funds, describing it as a violation of the 2025 Appropriation Act. He argued that denying the Commission access to funds, even in a non-census year, breaches the law and undermines governance.
Umeh emphasized the critical role of the Commission in national development, comparing it to the Independent National Electoral Commission. He noted that since the last population census in 2006, the absence of current data has left the country planning without reliable figures.
Other lawmakers voiced support for sustainable funding of the NPC. Senator Diket Plang called for the Commission to be included among agencies funded through first-line charge to guarantee predictable financing, noting he has sponsored a bill under the ongoing constitutional amendment process. Senator Abdul Ningi encouraged the Commission to strengthen engagement with the Senate Committee to facilitate timely release of funds and prevent future budgetary bottlenecks.
The discussions reflected renewed legislative interest in restoring the operational capacity of the NPC amid concerns that delayed funding could stall preparations for the next national Population and Housing Census.
The National Population Commission is responsible for population data collection and management in Nigeria, a function critical to planning, policy formulation, and national development.
