NBS to expand data scope on migration, security, others
The new Statistician-General (SG) of the Federation, Prince Semiu Adeniran, says the bureau will expand its scope to produce data on migration, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and security.
Adeniran, who made this commitment while taking the Oath of Office and Secrecy ceremony at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) headquarters in Abuja said it has become necessary for the bureau’s data to be relevant to the time and reflect the current situation in the country.
Adeniran said expanding the scope of its data would ensure that the NBS was delivering on its mandate of producing “relevant and adequate” information for policy decision making.
He added that it would also mean that the bureau was contributing its quota of solutions to the challenges being faced by the country.
“As the role of national statistics offices across the world expands in the modern-day data ecosystem, we will focus on building our capacity to produce further insight and knowledge base. We will also expand the scope of our statistical product to reflect the recent development in the macro and socio-development space. In this light, in the coming months, we will begin the process of producing statistics on new areas such as migration, IDPs and data on security. All these are issues currently on the front burner of the political sphere and prominent in the hearts of citizens and policymakers, hence we need to play our role as the authoritative source of official data in this regard”, he said.
Adeniran noted that the late S-G’s tenure, though brief, was impactful as he committed to consolidating his achievement.
He said the late S-G’s legacy was synonymous with hard work, compassion, dedication, and development for his fellow man regardless of race, tribe and creed.
“We will go forward together in line with the three-point agenda set by Dr S.B Harry, namely general administration and human resources management, infrastructure development and sound technical operations. I will seek to consolidate on the achievement he recorded. The current structure of the office will be maintained and where possible improved on as the need arises.”
He said efforts would be made to ensure the bureau delivered on its mandate.
“Hence our initial focus will be on strengthening our technical operations by enhancing staff capacity to accurately produce, disseminate and interpret statistics to inform policy design in Nigeria.”
He added that where necessary, external experts will be contacted to provide support to the staff of the bureau.
According to him, this is aimed at closing existing technical gaps already identified across the departments.
The new S-G said the bureau would accelerate its ongoing work with the World Bank in revising its methodology for producing Labour Force Statistics in Nigeria.
“This is very important as it will ensure that we move to a system where we generate, on a sustainable basis, adequate quarterly statistics on the labour market in Nigeria, to inform the government on their job creation efforts.”
He said in the coming weeks, the bureau would begin the process of rebasing the Consumer Price Index and the reweighting of the consumption basket.
He pledged to continue to work with the bureau’s partners, both locally and internationally, including line ministries, departments and agencies of government.
The S-G called on all staff members and management to work collectively for the progress of the bureau.
The S-G was sworn in by His Worship Olubunmi Achegbulu, who charged him to carry out his duties with fairness and justice.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Adeniran as the S-G of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the NBS on May 20.
Adeniran’s appointment follows the demise of the former Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Simon Harry, on April 13.
Until his appointment, Adeniran was the Director of Demographic and Household Statistics at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
NAN
