Abuja, March 27, 2025 – The World Bank says Nigeria’s statistical performance is not at par with its aspirational peers as Mexico, Columbia, South Africa and Brazil.
Mr. Johan Mistiaen, an official of the Word Bank, made the observation on Wednesday during his presentation on the next level statistics to support Nigeria’s reform and growth agenda.
He suggested that investing about $10 to $15 million annually into the country’s statistical system, can raise performance to that of its aspirational peers.
Mistiaen, the World Bank Practice Manager for West and Central Africa, was among a World Bank team which included the WB Country Director in Nigeria, Ndiame Diop that visited the Minister of Budget Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Responding, the minister said National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had always remained independent.
He, however, said government was only supporting the agency in exercising its functions of analyzing and disseminating statistical data on socio-economic issues in the country.
Bagudu commended the NBS for providing credible statistical data that have been utilized by international and reputable organizations over the years and it has been known to release timely and methodical data and thus promised noninterference of government in its affairs.
The minister expressed gratitude to the World Bank for the financial and technical support to the National Bureau of Statistics for its efforts to strengthen the agency.
Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician General of the Federation and CEO of the NBS said that investments in statistics would bring about more growth and development, he however appreciated the Federal Government for improved funding of the agency which was the highest in the last 10 years.
He agreed that with more budget and more engagement with development partners, NBS can do better.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Nigeria, as the national statistical office, is responsible for collecting, compiling, analyzing, and disseminating official statistics on social, economic, demographic, and environmental activities, providing data for policy-making and national development.
