Nigeria’s statistical system performance below par, says World Bank

Nigeria’s statistical system performance below par, says World Bank

The World Bank says the performance of Nigeria’s statistical
system is below par compared with those of Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and
Colombia.

 

Johan Mistiaen, the bank’s practice manager for West and
Central Africa, spoke during a courtesy visit to Abubakar Bagudu, the minister
of budget and economic planning.

 

In Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is the
official statistical agency responsible for collecting, compiling, analysing,
and disseminating official statistics on social, economic, demographic, and
environmental activities.

 

The agency serves as the authoritative source for Nigeria’s
official data.

 

According to a statement on Thursday, signed by Julie
Osagie-Jacobs, the ministry’s director of information and public relations, the
visit was led by Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director.

 

Mistiaen, in his presentation on the next-level statistics
to support Nigeria’s reform and growth agenda, the manager said Nigeria’s statistical
performance “is not on par with its global counterparts”, stressing the need
for increased investment to enhance the data system in the country.

 

The statement said the World Bank official suggested that an
investment of about $10 million to $15 million annually into the country’s
statistical system “can raise performance to that of its aspirational peers”.

 

Speaking during the meeting, Bagudu reassured Nigerians that
the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) would maintain its independence and
continue to receive government support in carrying out its mandate of analysing
and disseminating statistical data on socio-economic issues in the country.

 

The minister commended the NBS for its consistent provision
of credible statistical data, which has been widely used by reputable
international organisations.

 

He also assured that there would be no government interference
in the agency’s operations.

 

Osagie-Jacobs said Bagudu appreciated the World Bank for its
financial and technical support in enhancing the capacity of the NBS.

 

Adeyemi Adeniran, statistician-general of the federation and
chief executive officer (CEO) of the NBS, noted that investments in statistics
will drive greater growth and development.

 

He also appreciated the federal government for increasing
the agency’s funding to its highest level in the past decade.

 

Adeniran acknowledged that with a larger budget and greater
collaboration with development partners, the NBS could achieve better results.

Source: Nigeria’s statistical system performance below par, says World Bank

 - NigerianEye

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