The World Bank has expressed concern over Nigeria’s weak statistical performance, stating that the country falls behind its aspirational peers, including Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, and Brazil.
This was highlighted during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, by a World Bank delegation led by Country Director Ndiame Diop and Practice Manager for West and Central Africa, Mr. Johan Mistiaen, on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Statistical System Lags Behind
In his presentation titled “Next Level Statistics to Support Nigeria’s Reform and Growth Agenda,” Mistiaen noted that Nigeria’s statistical infrastructure is not on par with its developmental counterparts.
“Nigeria’s statistical performance is not at par with its aspirational peers such as Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, and Brazil,” Mistiaen stated.
He recommended an annual investment of $10–15 million in the country’s data and statistics infrastructure, which he said would significantly improve Nigeria’s statistical accuracy and reliability.
Federal Government’s Commitment to Statistical Integrity
In response, Bagudu assured that the Federal Government would continue to guarantee the independence of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
He commended the NBS for consistently providing credible, data-driven insights that have been relied upon by reputable international organizations.
The minister also reaffirmed that there would be no government interference in the operations of the NBS, ensuring that the agency remains a reliable source of economic and developmental data.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Statistical System
The Statistician-General of the Federation and NBS Chief Executive Officer, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, emphasized that improved investment in statistics would enhance national growth and development.
He acknowledged that the Federal Government had increased the NBS’s budgetary allocation to its highest level in the past decade.
However, he noted that sustained funding and stronger partnerships with development agencies would further enhance the NBS’s capacity to deliver high-quality statistical data for policy formulation and economic planning.
The Role of Reliable Data in Economic Growth
The World Bank’s concerns highlight the critical role of accurate and timely statistics in shaping Nigeria’s economic reforms and policy decisions. With increased investment, strengthened institutions, and global partnerships, Nigeria has the potential to bridge the data gap and align with global best practices in economic planning and development.
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