The World Bank has revealed that 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.
