NPC LAMENTS NON-RELEASE OF 2025 CAPITAL FUNDS AS SENATE PUSHES FOR FIRST-LINE CHARGE STATUS

NPC LAMENTS NON-RELEASE OF 2025 CAPITAL FUNDS AS SENATE PUSHES FOR FIRST-LINE CHARGE STATUS

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

The Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, 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, who appeared alongside key officials of the Commission, 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, highlighted the funding challenges facing the NPC in the 2025 fiscal year.

According to him, the Commission was appropriated a total sum of N36.21 billion for capital, overhead, and personnel expenditures in 2025. Dr. Yusuf, however, explained that out of the N18.28 billion capital cost appropriated for the year, no funds were released, which has severely constrained the Commission’s activities. He said that only 41% of the N1.17 billion overhead cost was released.

He mentioned that only personnel costs, processed through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, were fully implemented. The absence of capital releases, he lamented, had hindered infrastructural upgrades and other key projects vital to the Commission’s operations.

Looking ahead, Dr. Yusuf disclosed that the Commission’s 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 the timely and adequate release of funds to enable the Commission meet its statutory responsibilities effectively.

“The Commission cannot fulfill its mandate without sustainable funding. We appeal to the Senate to help ensure that appropriated funds are released as approved,” he said.

In response, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population, Senator Victor Umeh, condemned the non-release of the appropriated capital funds, describing the situation as “a violation of the 2025 Appropriation Act.”

“It is wrong to starve the NPC of funds simply because it is not conducting a census in 2025,” Umeh said. “Every item in its appropriation was duly approved for execution. Denying them access to those funds amounts to a breach of the law.”

He stressed the critical role of the Commission in national development, comparing it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“INEC is rightly prioritized because of elections, but NPC, which holds Nigeria’s demographic data, deserves equal attention. Governance begins with knowing your numbers,” Umeh said.

The Senator noted that since Nigeria’s last population census was held in 2006, the absence of current data has left the country planning “blindly.”

“How can we keep saying Nigeria has 220 million people after two decades? Without credible census data, government policies and development plans risk being misdirected,” he added.

Umeh called on the Federal Government and lawmakers, especially former governors on the oversight committee to mobilize support for sustainable funding of the NPC in preparation for the next national census.

Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments. Senator Diket Plang emphasized the need to place the NPC among agencies funded through first-line charge to guarantee predictable financing for population-related activities. He disclosed that he has already sponsored a bill to that effect under the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi urged the Commission to strengthen its engagement with the Senate Committee to facilitate timely release of funds and prevent future budgetary bottlenecks.

The discussions underscored renewed legislative interest in restoring the NPC’s operational capacity amid concerns that delayed funding could stall preparations for the long-awaited national Population and Housing Census.