According to Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Federal Government has released nearly 60 percent of the N198 billion allocated for the 2023 national census.
In addition, Osinbajo stated that N21 billion had been spent by the Federal Government to map the nation into census-county regions in preparation for the 2023 census.
On Thursday in Abuja during the Breakfast Meeting with Partners on the 2023 Population and Housing Census organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with UNFPA, the Vice President made this announcement.
Osinbajo was represented by Laolu Akande, his spokesman.
“The Federal Government had demonstrated tangible commitment to the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census as evidenced in the provision of funds for the implementation of important preliminary activities.
“Specifically, the Federal Government has spent about N21 billion for the mapping of the country into enumeration areas for the census.
“The government, so far, has now approved the sum of N198 billion in the 2022 Appropriation Act of which about 60 percent has since been released,’’ he said.
He said that the funds had positioned the commission in readiness for the successful conduct of the census in April 2023
The Vice President said, however, that there was a need for more resources and additional funding sources from committed partners.
Osinbajo said the breakfast meeting was a necessary step towards soliciting support for the conduct of a census that will be truly digital, and scientific and provide data that would guide national development.
He commended the NPC, UNFPA, and all partners for their commitments and hard work to meet the set goals.
“I would like to urge our distinguished partners to extend maximum cooperation to the country, our government, in the execution of this very important project.
“It is the expectation that as our dependable partners, you will as always, play this expected role towards the successful conduct of the 2023 census,’’ he said.
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