Johan Mistiaen, World bank Practice Manager for West and Central Africa has said that Nigeria requires an annual investment of about $10 million – $15million in its statistical system to raise performance to that of its aspirational peers.
Mistiaen stated this while meeting with the minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu in Abuja.
Speaking on the next level statistics to support Nigeria’s reform and growth agenda, Mistiaen observed that the Nigeria’s statistical performance was not at par with its aspirational peers as Mexico, Columbia, South Africa and Brazil.
Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician General of the Federation commending the federal government for the improved funding of the agency, noted that investments in statistics will bring about more growth and national development.
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.
Also speaking, Abubakar Bagudu commended the Bureau for providing credible statistical data that have been utilized by international and reputable organizations over the years, stating that 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.
