The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has raised concerns over the failure to conduct a national census, warning that the absence of accurate population data is undermining the country?s security and global credibility.

Speaking during an advocacy visit by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdul?Aziz Yar?Adua, and members of the civil society group Yiaga Africa.

The CDS stated that, ?We don?t know who the real Nigerians are?.

He underscored that addressing foundational issues such as the census and porous borders is essential for strengthening national security and for other countries to take Nigeria seriously.

The CDS further revealed that in over three decades of service, he has only voted once.

He further underscored the need for a comprehensive national census, suggesting that modern technology and ICT could be leveraged to reduce the financial and logistical burden of continuous voter and population registrations.

Again, the CDS expressed concern over persistent voter apathy, describing it as a major setback to democratic growth.

The CDS said that increased civic participation is key to advancing good governance, strengthening democracy, improving security, and reducing crime rates.

On the Armed Forces Trust Fund, the CDS reiterated his full support, describing it as a critical step toward sustainable financing for the military.

He called for a clear implementation framework to ensure that the fund meaningfully enhances operational capabilities.

Meanwhile, in a move to safeguard ongoing federal projects, the Senate has approved a second extension of the capital component of the 2024 budget, resetting its expiration to December 31, 2025.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the resumption of plenary, announced the extension of the appropriation bill following an expedited passage after a first, second, and third reading.

Leading debate on the floor, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, argued that Nigeria?s fiscal constraints and the scale of incomplete projects necessitated extra time.

?Without this extension, we risk abandoning critical infrastructure initiatives across the country,? he said.

?The lawmaker underpinned that the government currently lacks sufficient resources to cover all capital expenditures originally outlined for 2024.

This latest prolongation follows President Bola Tinubu?s initial request, granted late last year, to push the deadline from December 31, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

At the time, the President cited the need to optimize budgetary allocations and ensure project continuity.

Some lawmakers, however, had kicked against what they described as the government?s failure to release funds for capital projects, even as fiscal reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and new tax measures, have purportedly freed up resources for state governments.

The lawmakers questioned whether the federal coffers had been fully depleted, demanding an immediate investigation into the apparent abandonment or outright non-provision of monies earmarked for infrastructure and social-welfare initiatives intended to benefit the majority of Nigerians.

Their criticism came as the Senate considered and unanimously passed, in a single day, the bill entitled ?A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to Further Extend the Capital Component of the Act? from the 30th of June, 2025 to 31st December 2025. (Channels TV)

Update news