National Population Commission (NPC) says it has spent about N200 billion for the preparation of the 2023 population and housing census.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting on Thursday, Nasir Kwarra, executive chairman of the commission, said the money spent was part of the N800 billion expected from the federal government as the total budget for the conduct of the population census.

Kwarra said the money included the cost of more than five years of preparing for the exercise.

He said the cost of conducting a digital census was high as the commission would be procuring equipment and data needed for the exercise.

He said about one million personnel have been recruited to conduct a credible and acceptable digital census.

“It is important to sustain the tempo of the preparation for the census. The focus of the commission is to lay a foundation for future censuses,” Kwarra said.

He assured the public of the commission’s commitment to ensuring a credible census.

Also speaking, Inuwa Jalingo, census manager, said the commission worked hard to conduct a digital census.

Jalingo added that the commission was prepared to ensure a robust quality dashboard and data for the exercise.

In April, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the census be postponed. The exercise was billed to take place across the country between May 3 and 5.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, who announced the postponement in a statement, said the new date for the census would be determined by the incoming administration.

The Cable