Former Senator Shehu Sani has criticized the National Population Commission (NPC) over its request for a trillion naira to conduct the upcoming national census, describing the demand as “total madness.” Sani, known for his outspoken views, made the statement during an interview on Friday, questioning the rationale behind such a huge expenditure.
“How can anyone justify spending a trillion naira to count Nigerians? This is total madness. At a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges, this kind of spending is irresponsible and unacceptable,” Sani said.
The NPC had recently submitted a budget proposal to the National Assembly, seeking funding for the census scheduled to hold later in the year. The commission argued that the funds were necessary to ensure a credible and accurate exercise, citing the need for modern technology, logistics, and personnel.
However, Sani dismissed the justification, stating that the priority should be on addressing pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. “We have millions of Nigerians living in poverty, yet we want to spend a trillion naira on a census. This is not the time for such extravagance,” he added.
The former lawmaker also expressed concerns about the potential for mismanagement and corruption, given Nigeria’s history of inflated contracts and misappropriation of public funds. “We all know how these things go. By the time the exercise is completed, half of the money would have disappeared into private pockets,” Sani alleged.
Sani’s comments have sparked a debate among Nigerians, with many echoing his concerns about the cost of the census. Some, however, have argued that a credible population count is essential for effective planning and development.
The NPC has yet to respond to Sani’s criticism, but the controversy is likely to dominate discussions as the National Assembly reviews the commission’s budget proposal.