Tinubu's Budget Battle: NYSC to Count Nigeria?
~~ Ahman Makams
President Bola Tinubu's reported rejection of the N942 billion census budget and his rumored proposal to use NYSC corps members as enumerators represents a dramatic, potentially risky gamble in his fight against Nigeria's financial recklessness.
While ostensibly a move born from fiscal prudence amidst economic hardship, the decision unveils a deeper narrative about Tinubu's approach to governance and the inherent challenges of tackling decades of ingrained wastage.
The sheer magnitude of the rejected budget – N942 billion – highlights the scale of the problem. For years, Nigeria has been plagued by bloated budgets, opaque spending, and a pervasive culture of impunity where accountability for public funds has been woefully lacking. This isn't just about a single census; it's a symptom of a larger malaise affecting virtually every sector. From inflated contract awards to ghost workers and rampant corruption, the nation bleeds billions annually. Tinubu's action, therefore, resonates beyond the immediate context of population counting. It's a symbolic declaration of war against this deeply entrenched system of wasteful expenditure.
However, the replacement strategy – employing NYSC corps members – presents both opportunities and significant risks. On the surface, it appears to offer a cost-effective solution. The NYSC scheme already has a nationwide presence, and utilizing corps members could drastically reduce personnel costs. This aligns perfectly with Tinubu's stated commitment to fiscal discipline and his desire to redirect resources towards more pressing national needs like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The move could also foster a sense of national unity and civic engagement amongst young Nigerians.
The potential downsides, however, are equally substantial. NYSC members, while enthusiastic and potentially motivated, lack the specialized training and experience necessary for accurate and reliable data collection. A census fraught with errors due to insufficient training or inadequate supervision could render the entire exercise significantly less valuable, potentially undermining crucial policy decisions for decades to come. The concern is not just about accuracy but also the potential for manipulation or bias, potentially impacting resource allocation and political representation for years to come. Furthermore, relying heavily on unpaid or minimally compensated personnel raises ethical concerns and might compromise the quality of data gathered.
Tinubu's thinking, therefore, needs to extend beyond merely reducing costs. The crucial question is not just *how* to conduct the census cheaper, but *how* to conduct a census that yields credible, reliable, and actionable data. The proposed solution needs rigorous assessment, including a detailed analysis of the training, supervision, and quality control mechanisms necessary to ensure accuracy. A cost-benefit analysis, comparing the potential gains from cost reduction with the risks of compromised data quality, is paramount.
Ultimately, Tinubu's bold move on the census budget is a microcosm of the larger battle he faces. While the intent to curb wasteful spending is laudable, the path to success requires a multifaceted approach going far beyond a single initiative. It needs robust institutional reforms, strengthened anti-corruption measures, improved transparency and accountability mechanisms, and a significant shift in the national culture towards responsible financial management. The success of this census gamble, and the fight against financial recklessness as a whole, will depend on whether Tinubu can effectively navigate the complexities of these challenges. The nation watches, hoping that this gamble, though risky, paves the way for a more fiscally responsible and equitable future.
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