Maryam Garba Usman

Executive Director
Center for Advocacy in Gender and Social Inclusion CAGSI

[Tracka @TrackaNG]

Today's big Question; Where is the N129.5bn?

Nigeria’s last population census was conducted in 2006. Two decades later, the country still does not have updated data about how many people live here.

Yet between February 2022 and December 2023, we tracked that N129.5bn was paid for different activities related to the conduct of the truncated population census. So our simple question: Where did the money go?

Since March 2, 2026, we have written to the National Population Commission requesting clarification on how these funds were spent but till today, there has been no response.

However, our independent tracking has revealed that funds were spent on items such as:
• N118.38bn for Personal Digital Assistants and Accessories
• N2.47bn for Hilux vehicles
• N499.8m for power banks
• N106.19m for an e-recruitment portal

Yet Nigerians still do not know the full details, outcomes, or the current status of the census exercise. This is not just about numbers, without accurate population data:
📌 Children end up in overcrowded classrooms
📌 Hospitals and Primary Health Centres are under provided
📌 Governments struggle to allocate resources fairly
📌 Social programmes are designed with guesswork instead of evidence
📌 Development planning and representation suffer

Behind every statistic are real people whose needs are not properly counted, N129.5bn is public money and Nigerians deserve answers.

We call on the @Census2023 to publicly clarify these expenditures. We also urge @officialEFCC, @icpcnigeria and the @nassnigeria to take interest in this matter and ensure that public funds meant for the national census are transparently accounted for.

Because a country cannot plan its future without knowing its people.

#publicfundsmustworkforthegoodofthepeople
#Askquestions

[Tracka @TrackaNG]

Dear Nigerians,

Recall the Nigeria’s 2025 Budget is officially titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity”, allocating a record 12.54% (N6.57trn) to security. We also have governors’ monthly security votes, and from January to September alone, N5.9trn and N3.8trn have been disbursed to the states and LGAs, respectively, via FAAC. This is well over N16trn meant to restore peace.

Yet, as we progress through 2025, the nation continues to witness a devastating toll: over 9,000 lives lost and countless abductions due to insurgency and banditry. Communities have been overrun, and massive displacement of citizens.

In light of these facts, we must ask: where is the restoration we were promised? Why does a lasting peace seem increasingly distant? Significant resources have been allocated, but we have yet to see the corresponding results in security and stability.

Opaque security votes, untracked FAAC trillions, and zero public reports on how the N6.57trn is spent are major issues here.

@NigeriaGov, while we demand that you reacts fast to these incidents, we also demand that the whole system enabling the attacks must also be checked.
Securing Peace” cannot remain a slogan while citizens live in fear.
Fund community-based early-warning systems with clear tracking.
Subject governors’ security votes to legislative oversight and audit.

For the citizens, this is our budget, demand receipts from your reps, governors, and LGA chairmen. #Askquestion on how the security vote and FAAC in your state was spent?”

No more excuses. Peace is not a prayer, it is a deliverable.

Check your State and LGA FAAC allocations here 🫳 https://t.co/4yI9mqIH1X and https://t.co/JiGK44EyLo and #Askquestions

[Tracka @TrackaNG]

Sitting on the border between Taraba and Adamawa States, Kan Yaka, Yola-Jalingo Road, in Jereng Ward, Mayo-Belwa LGA, was once a lifeline for commuters, traders, and families connecting communities across Nigeria's Northeast.

In 2022, the existing asphalt on the road was taken off by a contractor, with the promise of a swift rehabilitation to ease the burden on road users.
But three agonizing years later? ZERO progress!

The attached video shows how the road now lies in utter shambles, leaving the road in muds, potholes, and despair that turns every journey into a nightmare.
Heavy rain turns the road into a muddy, unusable mess, while dry seasons make it a dusty, dangerous hazard. Ambulances can’t reach villages quickly, goods rot before reaching markets, kids struggle to get to school safely, and businesses suffer greatly.

Local residents are taking matters into their own hands, repairing the road with pebbles and rubble, and guiding traffic to avoid vehicle breakdowns. This isn't just inconvenience it's a humanitarian crisis stifling livelihoods and isolating entire communities!

We are joining the people of Kang Yaka, to demand that the @FMWNIG urgently deploy federal resources IMMEDIATELY for emergency repairs and full reconstruction. This federal corridor demands your urgent intervention.

#Fixourroad

[Tracka @TrackaNG]

IMPACT FRIDAY 🌼

To celebrate the International Day of PWDs 2022, we visited Assembly Hall of the School of the Blind, Katsina, where we began concerted efforts for inclusive development for PWDs in Katsina state.

This meeting triggered a series of events such as townhall meetings, needs assessments, stakeholder engagements etc.
Fast track to 2024, their needs made it into the 2024 FG Budget where N50m was allocated to the “Vocational Training and Empowerment of People with Disabilities across Katsina Central”
With continued monitoring, this project was executed in March 2025 with over 50 PWDs trained and empowered.

Read more on the relentless efforts of Tracka to bring inclusive development to Katsina: https://t.co/ZtX65T6EhE

#ImpactFriday

[Tracka @TrackaNG]

In Nov 2024, N6.4m was paid to Doson new tech Nigeria ltd for the Construction of Solar Powered Borehole with overhead tank at Akwankwo Village Hall, Adazienu, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State.

We tracked and report that this project has been abandoned since Nov 2024. A borehole and underground pipes was installed, but reticulation with the overhead tank has not been done.

We call on @OIshiagu, the implementing agency, to provide the public with details of this project and call the contractor back to site to complete this project.

We will keep tracking to ensure quality work is done.

[Samson Itodo @DSamsonItodo]

I look forward to welcoming young legislators in the 9th National and State Assembly to #Abuja for The Convergence 2.0 #NotTooYoungToRun

[Maryam Laushi Dasilva @MimieLaushi]

I’m so excited about where #NotTooYoungToRun is taking this! I wrote my thesis about this! Bless up YIAGA 🙌🏾🙏🏾💯👏🏽

[Gboyega Michael Tokunbo @gboyesuccess]

I believe when purpose is unbeknownst or underemphasize, abuse is inevitable, hence, we must continue to strengthen and uphold the ideals of youth inclusive democracy, active and positive participatory politics.#NotTooYoungToRun @YIAGA

[Village SDGs Teacher 🕍🚴✈️🚞🌐 @ogahpeter2017]

We also made it to NBS where we discussed youth inclusion in governance. Thank God for #NotTooYoungToRun bill. Thank you @YIAGA. Thank you Nasarawa youths. The future looks bright.
@MOSESKUSKO @aren_ben @EmmaKuza @EiENigeria @AaronAkpuPhilip

[Gboyega Michael Tokunbo @gboyesuccess]

Engaging political stakeholders, media personalities, young aspirants, young leaders, civil servants, focus groups, civil society, educationists, grassroot leaders #NotTooYoungToRun @YIAGA

[#Nasarawa4ObiKwankwaso @EmmaKuza]

#NotTooYoungToRun was an idea whose time has come. It is the foretaste of impending political revolution that is about to take Africa by storm. Kudos @DSamsonItodo @YIAGA and all amazing Nigerian youth who laboured to make this a reality.
@aren_ben
@MOSESKUSKO
@ogahpeter2017

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

The journey of #NotTooYoungToRun in Taraba state started when a message was received from YIAGA prior to constitutional amendment on the need to support the bill, action begins by mobilizing young likeminded individuals and organisations with a shared goal by the coordinator to.

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

My state, Taraba state joined others to fulfill the requirements for a constitutional amendment by saying YES to the Bill.
#NotTooYoungToRun

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

The Convergence 1.0 brought 400 youth candidates to Abuja in December, to prepare them for the elections in every possible way. After the elections, what happens next? #NotTooYoungToRun

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

The Convergence 2.0, which will chart a new course of leadership for Nigeria holds on the 7th & 8th May in Abuja and welcomes all young elected representatives. #NotTooYoungToRun

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

Though, initially they voted NO 4 d bill bt after intense advocacy and inauguration f hall f fame n shame which @ d time only Taraba state fall within d hall f shame, that makes them 2 revert their stance n voted yes for d bill. I am proud f d work that we did. #NotTooYoungToRun

[M_Danburam (Proudly Taraban) @M_Danburam]

#NotTooYoungToRun also known as #AgeReductionBill is a movement that brought young likeminded individuals to together that fought for the removal of the constitutional bottleneck that restrain young people from contesting for offices in Nigeria.

[Maryam Garba Usman @mairogarba]

With Sen. AbdulAziz Murtala Nyako the sponsor of the Not Too Young to Run bill at the Senate.