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Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members
Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members
President Bola Tinubu has rejected a N942bn proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the conduct of the national housing and population census.
According to insiders, Tinubu and the commission’s top officials discussed cost-cutting measures on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the State House.
Tinubu suggested deploying members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the exercise.
After being informed by officials of the NPC led by its Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, Tinubu committed to setting up a committee to align the census budget to the government’s existing financial reality.
In a statement titled ‘Nigeria draws closer to fresh census, President Tinubu to set up committee,’ Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reported Tinubu as saying, “This stop-and-go behavior on the census cannot work with me. So we better have a clear path.
“I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on the proclamation?” Tinubu queried.
The government official said, “The main issue from that meeting was that the money they were proposing was quite a lot. It is around N942bn. That is almost N1tn. And the president felt that it was too much. That is why he said there would be a committee to look at the issues altogether because that cost must come down.
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“He wants to do it. He wants the census to happen. But the cost is too high. His goal is that they should do it for less.”
Another insider at the conference revealed that Tinubu proposed a nationwide deployment of NYSC members to reduce personnel expenditures.
“He was even suggesting that they recruit youth corps members to make it cheaper,” the official revealed.
However, another source confirmed that the constituents and activities of Tinubu’s new committee were still unclear.
“We have heard nothing about that committee for now. It is still being put together as we speak. But the agencies concerned will be on it,” the source explained.
It was gathered that at the meeting, Tinubu had affirmed that the National Identity Management Commission must be part of the review.
“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.
“So many problems come up without accurate data,” Tinubu stated.
The president also stated that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilizer, could be easily enhanced with more reliable data and demography.
He explained to the NPC delegation that biometric capture should be central to the process, with multiple identification features such as facial and voice recognition.
According to him, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.”
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Since former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration ended in November 2006, Nigeria’s housing and population census has been plagued by delays and logistical challenges.
Although the NPC invested in new technologies, such as digital mapping and biometric capture, to improve accuracy and transparency, challenges such as insufficient budgets, unrest in particular regions, and the outbreak of COVID-19 all contributed to a succession of delays.
The 2023 census, in particular, has been postponed due to overlapping issues, ranging from budget restrictions to political shifts, making it difficult for stakeholders to complete preparations before Buhari leaves office.
Plans to reschedule the census have also experienced challenges during the Tinubu government, as the Federal Government remained unsure about scheduling, methodology, and how to best capture data on large, transient populations, including internally displaced persons.
Meanwhile, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, stated that census data would be critical to future planning and resource allocation.
The minister stated that the commission and everyone on the team were required to agree on the minimal amount that could be raised to assist the president in reaching the final decision.
“Mr. President, we have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics.
“So, the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimization can take place.”
In his presentation, the NPC chairman stated that 760,000 tablets had been obtained and held at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and that the commission would communicate with development partners to request assistance if Tinubu declared the new census.
Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members
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JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and organisations alleged to be involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to disrupt funding networks linked to insecurity across the country.
The list was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), the inter-agency body responsible for enforcing financial sanctions in line with Nigeria’s counter-terrorism financing (CTF) and anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks.
According to the committee, the designated individuals and entities are suspected of providing financial, logistical, or operational support to terrorist organisations operating in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and other security-affected regions.
The list reportedly includes individuals connected to proscribed organisations such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Ansaru, and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Among those named are Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa, Abdulsamad Ohida, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Itare, Francis Nmaduabuchi, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, and others listed in the official document.
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Security and financial intelligence sources said the designation is part of strengthened efforts to enforce targeted financial sanctions against terrorism sponsors, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international security and financial monitoring standards. The sanctions framework allows authorities to impose measures such as asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and travel limitations on individuals and organisations identified as being involved in terrorism financing activities.
Officials said the move is aimed at cutting off funding channels that support insurgent groups and separatist-linked violence in affected parts of the country. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee explained that the publication of the list is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security by targeting the financial infrastructure behind terrorism.
It added that identifying and sanctioning individuals linked to terrorist financing is crucial to weakening the operational capacity of groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces. Authorities also stressed that the listings are part of ongoing investigations and do not replace judicial proceedings, noting that further legal and enforcement actions may follow where evidence is established.
The development comes amid intensified military operations against insurgent groups across the country, as well as increased coordination between security agencies and financial regulators to monitor suspicious transactions and disrupt illicit funding flows.
Officials reiterated that combating terrorism requires both military action and sustained efforts to dismantle the financial networks supporting terrorism in Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued additional details beyond the published list, while reactions are expected from some of the individuals and organisations named.
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
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42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
A 42-year-old woman declared missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has been found in a hotel room in Ugbe-Akoko, sparking widespread reactions and renewed concerns over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The woman reportedly left her matrimonial home in Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area without informing her husband or family members, prompting fears that she had been abducted or harmed.
Her husband was said to have raised the alarm after repeated attempts to reach her failed, leading to concern among relatives and residents of the community. The development triggered a search effort as anxiety grew over her whereabouts.
According to sources familiar with the case, the woman was later traced to Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, located about 124 kilometres from Ilara-Mokin. The journey between both locations typically takes over two hours by road.
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She was reportedly discovered in a hotel in the area in the company of a 55-year-old man. Both individuals were taken in for questioning by relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding their presence at the location.
Preliminary findings suggest that the woman may not have been abducted as initially feared but might have left home voluntarily without informing her family. However, officials are still working to establish the full details surrounding her movement and activities before she was found.
The incident has generated mixed reactions among residents of both communities, with many expressing shock, confusion, and concern over the circumstances that led to her disappearance and eventual discovery in a hotel.
Security agencies are continuing investigations to determine whether any offence was committed and to clarify the nature of the relationship between the woman and the man found with her.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from law enforcement authorities, while the case continues to attract attention across Ondo State.
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
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ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of political bias linked to controversial old social media posts, while also threatening civil disobedience if he remains in office.
The opposition party said its position follows growing concerns about the neutrality of the electoral body ahead of future elections, insisting that the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria must not be compromised.
The controversy centres on alleged archived posts on X (formerly Twitter) attributed to an account bearing Amupitan’s name, which critics claim contained expressions perceived as supportive of the ruling All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The allegations gained wider attention after US-based Nigerian scholar Farooq Kperogi referenced the purported posts in a public commentary, arguing that they raise questions about the independence of INEC leadership. The claims have since sparked heated debate across social media, with supporters of the electoral commission questioning their authenticity while critics insist they undermine public trust in the institution.
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In response, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, cautioned against misinformation and impersonation, warning that cybercriminals may be using fake accounts to circulate false narratives. He reaffirmed that INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, urging the public to rely only on verified communication channels from the commission.
Reacting to the controversy, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the allegations as a serious breach of public trust and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity, arguing that an electoral umpire must not only be neutral but must also be seen to be unquestionably impartial. According to him, the allegations—if proven true—undermine confidence in the leadership of the electoral body. Abdullahi further alleged attempts to manipulate or alter digital records linked to the controversy, describing the situation as a “calculated assault on truth and accountability.”
He said: “The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he is supposed to officiate.” The ADC insisted that Prof. Amupitan must resign immediately, warning that failure to do so would trigger escalated action, including civil disobedience protests across Nigeria. The party also said it would update petitions to relevant professional and international bodies, including the Nigeria Bar Association (Nigeria Bar Association), as part of efforts to intensify pressure on the electoral commission.
The controversy adds to rising political tension surrounding the leadership of INEC, as opposition parties increasingly scrutinise the commission’s neutrality ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Analysts say the situation highlights ongoing concerns about trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions, especially in the digital age where social media content can significantly influence public perception.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued a fresh statement addressing the ADC’s latest demand for the chairman’s resignation or its threat of civil disobedience.
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
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