Statistical Journal of the IAOS 34 (2018) 343–351 343

DOI 10.3233/SJI-170404
IOS Press

The National Statistical System in Nigeria:

Developments and issues
Emmanuel John Ekpenyonga,∗ and Ekaette Inyang Enangb
a
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
b
University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract. This paper assesses improvements or otherwise and challenges in the various stages of developments in the Nigerian
National Statistical System (NSS) and suggests ways through which the National Statistical System can work according to Inter-
national Best Standards. Issues militating against the smooth functioning of the system as identified in this work include, but not
limited to, non-professionalization of the Statistical system, politicization of data and appointments relating to Statistical system,
non-existence of Statistical Institutes for training and development of staff and inadequate funding and manpower. Some of the
measures that could improve the workability of the System are identified, among others to include collaboration among Interna-
tional and National Agencies, establishment of an effective Statistics Trust Fund (STF) and monitoring and the strengthening of
professionalism in the system through the implementation of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) laws.

Keywords: National Statistical System, CISON, Statistics Trust Fund, Statistical Master Plan, Statistics Act

1. Introduction rability and use of evidence as the basis for policy

choices and decision making and avoid unnecessary
Governments and other users of statistics need data and costly duplication. A National Statistical System
for planning, decision making and monitoring of so- (NSS) is a co-ordinating framework within which the
cial and economic growth and developments. Vari- required information for development in the form of
ous types of data are used for these purposes, namely indicators are generated. For the organization of the
quantitative and qualitative data. These data in Nige- Nigerian National Statistical System, [1,3–5] have ex-
ria are collected and collated in a co-ordinated op- tensively dwelt on it.
erational system known as the National Statistical Official statistics therefore as defined by the United
System (NSS), under the co-ordination of the Na- Nations Statistical Commission are an indispensable
tional Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Other producers of element in the information system of a democratic so-
statistics, apart from NBS are the Central Bank of ciety, serving the Government, the economy and the
Nigeria (CBN), Ministries, Departments and Agencies public with data about the economic, demographic, so-
(MDAs) of Governments (see [1]). According to [2], cial and environment situation (see [2]). It is the totality
of statistics produced by public statistical agencies of
a National Statistical System is a system that has a
a country. It also covers economic statistics including
coherent body of data. It consists of users, producers
statistics of industrial production, services, prices and
then suppliers of data and information. It aims to en-
institutional sector, and social statistics encompassing
sure continuous co-ordination and co-operation among
population and demography, housing, education, em-
producers and users of official statistics in order to
ployment, health, nutrition, income and expenditure,
advance standardization, quality, consistency, compa-
public order and safety, social security and welfare,
leisure and cultural activities. These statistics are pro-
∗ Corresponding
author: Emmanuel John Ekpenyong, Michael
duced within the framework of the NSS.
Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 A good statistical system therefore, produces reli-
8033872647; E-mail: ekpesstat@yahoo.com. able official statistics for proper evidence-based plan-

1874-7655/18/$35.00 c 2018 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved
344 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues

ning and implementation of policies and programmes so as to align with international best practices and pro-
of any country and Nigeria is never an exception. vide reliable and timely data for Nigeria’s economic
According to [15], African National Statistical Sys- growth and development.
tems have proven to be weak over the years. This is due
to limited involvement on the part of all key stakehold-
ers in statistical development – a situation that the Ref- 2. Developments in the Nigeria National Statistical
erence Regional Strategic Framework (RRSF) seeks to System (NSS)
correct. They further said that to generate comprehen-
sive quality statistics, the capacity of all key produc- 2.1. Early stage of development
ers must be further developed, with coordination by the
National Statistics Office (NSO). However, in order to During the pre-1957 statistics act, a statistics unit
undertake this coordination, the office should be em- was established in 1928 and was headed by a Gov-
powered legally, financially, technically, and adminis- ernment Statistician. The responsibility of the unit was
tratively. only restricted to basic statistics that were of interest
The roles of statistics for national development have to the colonial administration. In 1947, statistical de-
been duly evaluated by researchers like [3,6–8,16,17]. velopments gathered some momentum and attracted
There have been various contributions about the de- Government interest which led to the establishment of
velopments of the Nigerian Statistical System. [5,9] a section of the Department of Customs and Excise
have given detailed phases of historical developments as the full-fledged Department of Statistics. Then, in
of the National Statistical System in Nigeria. Es- 1949, the department was re-organized into the Na-
pey [11] confirmed IMF assertion that if emerging mar- tional Statistics Office on a more permanent stand and
ket and developing countries (like Nigeria) invest in government Statistician was appointed as the head. At
better quality data, they can reduce the cost of bor- this juncture, the nomenclature of the National Statis-
rowing by an average of 20%. Also, [12] outlined tics Office (NSO) was seen to be a centralized system
poor quality of information, including lack of con- under a Unitary System of Government.
sistency, duplication and out-of-date information; no The federal system of Government created by the
clear strategic direction for the overall statistical en- Richard Constitution in 1954 brought to bear a decen-
vironment as some of the major challenges for man- tralized statistical system, in which all the three regions
aging information in a statistical environment. They of the North, East and West had their zonal officers of
further proffer solutions to these challenges to include statistics.
strong leadership, delivering of tangible and visible
benefits and recognizing complexity of the organisa-
2.2. Second stage of development
tions among others. Sibrian [13] advocated the integra-
tion of food security information into the National Sta-
tistical System of any country, as this would help in The Statistics Act of 1957 that guided the conduct of
the formulation of policies about food and nutritional statistical function and activities was passed into law.
status of populations. The Act outlined the functions of National Statistics
For the Nigerian Statistical System (NSS) to pro- Office to include;
duce a reliable, efficient and timely statistics there is (i) Taking of population censuses.
the need to look at the various developmental stages (ii) Collecting, compiling and publishing statistical
in the National Statistical System, the impact and information relating to the commercial, indus-
challenges of such developments on the system. This trial, agricultural, mining, social, economic and
would now pose a task of making strides to tackle these general activities and condition of the inhabitant
challenges in a manner to further place the system in of the federation.
the front burner of improving economic growth and de- (iii) Collaboration among department of the Govern-
velopment of a country. This work therefore seeks to ment of the Federation, the Regions and with
assess the various developmental stages of the Nigeria local authorities, in the selection, complication,
Statistical System and the impact of these stages on the analysis and publication of statistical records of
system. It also looks at some militating factors against administrations.
the system and how stakeholders can help to further (iv) Organizing a co-ordinated scheme of social and
improve on the functionality of the Statistical System, economic statistics relating to the federation.
 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues 345

These provisions in the Statistical Act gave room for which they were posted to by FOS at this period, data
the collaboration and synergy among the component or statistics from the Local Government were collected
parts of the Nigeria Statistical System (NSO, CBN and and published by both the state and federal govern-
Ministries) and allowed the establishment and opera- ments. Their statistical structure had not been properly
tion of a common statistical service for statistical per- formed. These data may not be the type that the local
sonnel in federal government service. government requires for its own planning purpose. For
In independence year of 1960, the National Statistics this reason, the FOS started a programme called Lo-
Office (NSO) nomenclature and location was further cal Government Information System (LGIS) in 1982
changed. The NSO under the Nigeria Customs and Ex- to collect data on the local government operations and
cise was transferred to the Federal Ministry of Finance physical infrastructure.
and finally to federal Ministry of Economic Develop- In 1989, the National Data Bank (NDB) and the
ment. Its name was also changed to the Federal Of- Sectoral Data Banks (SDB) called Nigeria Informa-
fice of Statistics (FOS). With the economy expanding tion System (NIS) were established to further aid in re-
and becoming more demanding, new institution and positioning of the National Statistical System (NSS) of
Nigeria. This made emphasis on electronic data man-
re-configuration of Nigeria Statistical System became
agement and dissemination using information technol-
imperative. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took
ogy in line with the global best practices and trends.
over the collection and production of financial statistics
Both NIS and NSS formed the National Statistical In-
while the Natonal Population Commission (NPopC)
formation System (NSIS). In 1994 and 1997, UNDP
was created to take care of human and population cen- in collaboration with National Planning Commission
sus though it was under the supervision of the FOS. (NPC), FOS, NDB and other agencies at the federal,
As time went on, the function of the FOS and NPopC state and local government levels strengthened NSS in
overlapped with each other. Due to this decentraliza- the area of generation and dissemination of statistical
tion and overlapping of the functions by these three data and information.
agencies – the CBN, FOS and NPopC, the strength and
authority of FOS became weakened. 2.4. Current stage of development
This development at the federal level spilled into the
regional levels, as various regions had Statistical Min- According to [5], the co-ordinating agency of NSS,
istries of Finance and Economic Development. FOS (now NBS) was at its lowest performance be-
It would be recalled that the mandate to co-ordinate tween 2002 and 2004 because of poor attention from
Nigeria Statistical System (NSS) and ensure its work- government in terms of key appointments and bud-
ing was provided for in the Statistics Act of 1957. getary allocations, bad management, bloated and low
Therefore, both technical and administrative matters quality work force, preponderance of non-professional
were controlled by FOS. All personnel belonged to staff, archaic data production and management tech-
FOS and were posted to Ministries as the need arose. nologies, poor salary structure and conditions of ser-
With the creation of States and Local Councils, the vice as well as low morale and productivity of workers.
In view of this, the Central Bank Governor at that time
growth of NSS became increasingly vast.
deemed the poor policy formulations and implemen-
tation due to inadequate and scanty statistics in Nige-
2.3. Third stage of development
ria and therefore agitated for a re-organisation of NSS
through a Statistical Master Plan. Against this back-
This development stage was seen as the re- drop, the first re-organisation of the National Statisti-
organisation stage. According to [5], this stage began cal System (NSS) in 2004 was the merging of FOS
in 1988. With the creation of states in 1989, 1993 and with National Data Bank (NDB), which led to the es-
1996 to 21, 30, 36 states respectively and the changes tablishment of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
in the political configuration of Nigeria, the number of Still in 2004, a Statistical Master Plan (SMP) was de-
Statistical Agencies became increased. veloped. The broad objective of this positioning of the
Zakayo [4] also stated that the creation of the De- NBS is to implement the Statistical Master Plan (SMP)
partment of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) and transform the Bureau along the dictates of the Fed-
in all Ministries and Agencies of government through eral Government Public service Reform programme
the Federal Civil Service decree 43 of 1988 further de- (PSRP), (see [5]).
centralized statistics. The decree made the former FOS Some of the developments in this phase can be dis-
officials to remain as career officers of the Agencies, cussed under the following headings.
346 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues

2.4.1. The Statistical Master Plan (SMP) (iii) Data suppliers, including establishments and
The first step of the development and repositioning households;
of the NSS in line with the global trends was the devel- (iv) Research and training institutions including
opment of the Statistical Master Plan (SMP) in 2004. higher education institutions. It further stip-
Under this plan, a lot of issues that can improve on ulated the objectives of the system to in-
the function and responsibilities of NBS and the entire clude:
NSS were suggested. These issues included the repeat (a) to raise public awareness about the im-
of the 1957 Statistics Acts to accommodate contem- portance and role of statistical informa-
porary administration and hauling of the National Sta- tion to the society;
tistical System, the consolidation and formation of the (b) to collect, process, analyse and dissem-
strong and viable co-ordinating Agency, the National inate quality statistical data;
Bureau of Statistics for proper co-ordination, collabo- (c) to promote the use of best practice and
ration, networking and information sharing, the Statis-
international standards in statistical pro-
tical Master Plan (SMP) recommended to be included
duction, management and dissemina-
in the proposed Statistics Act the formation, constitu-
tion;
tion and function of the Board of Directors of the Nige-
(d) to promote the use of statistical data
ria National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Na-
and information at individual, institu-
tional Consultative Committee on Statistics (NCCS).
tional, local government area, state, Na-
The board of Directors was to represent a wide range
tional and International levels, espe-
of stakeholders including data producers, data users in
cially for evidence-based policy design
government, private sector, civil society and research
and decision-making;
and training institution. The Board was proposed to
(e) to build sustainable capacity for the pro-
primarily set policies for more effective co-ordination
duction and use of statistical data and
of the NSS. On the other hand, the NCCS was pro-
information in the country for planning
posed to implement Board policies and board guide-
lines on co-ordinaton, collaboration, networking and purpose and co-ordination of the Na-
information sharing. On the whole, the SMP recom- tional Statistical System.
mended a set of operational framework on the NSS (3) Establishment and Composition of the Govern-
development, organization, human resources manage- ing Board of the NBS (Section 8). The 2007
ment and administrative and technical matter. Statistics Act stipulated the composition of the
Board to include:
2.4.2. The 2007 Statistics Act (a) The Chairman to be appointed by the Presi-
According to [14], the recommendation of the re- dent on the recommendation of the Minister
peal of the 1957 Statistics Act in the Statistical Mas- for National Planning Commission, subject
ter Plan (SMP) led to the sending of the Statistics Bill to confirmation by the Senate;
by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (b) The Minister of Finance or his representa-
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to the National Assembly in tive;
2005. The new statistics bill was passed into law and (c) Minister for Agriculture or his representa-
accented to by the President in 2007. The provisions of tive;
the Act include among others the following: (d) Minister of Education or his representative;
(1) The establishment of a National Statistical Sys- (e) The Chief Executive Officer of National
tem. Planning Commission or his representative;
(2) The composition of the NSS to include four main (f) The Governor of Central Bank or his repre-
elements: sentative;
(i) The producers of statistics, including the (g) The Group Managing Director of Nigeria
NBS as the co-ordinating agency of the sys- National Petroleum Corporation or his repre-
tem, line Ministries, Public agencies, State sentative;
Statistical Agencies and Local Government (h) The President, Manufacturers’ Association
Statistical Units; of Nigeria or his representative;
(ii) Data users, including key users such as pol- (i) The President, Nigeria Statistical Associa-
icy and decision makers; tion;
 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues 347

(j) Five members to be appointed by the Presi- (iv) Strengthen the country’s capacity to produce
dent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to re- quality statistics based on international best prac-
flect the federal character and subject to the tices to support national development initiatives,
approval and confirmation by the Senate; especially the implementation of the National
(k) The Statistician General of the NBS. Economic Empowerment and Development
In addition, any person shall be eligible to be ap- Strategy (NEEDS), and the Vision 2020 at the
pointed as a member of the Board, if the person has the Federal level and the State Economic Empower-
requisite qualification and minimum of 10 years’ cog- ment and Development Strategy (SEEDS) at the
nate experience in Statistics, Management and Public State levels.
Administration, Information Technology, Economics
or related fields. The Board has functions that propel 2.5. Recent statistical developments
or drive, motivate, energize and oversee the Nigerian
National Statistical System. Therefore, the formation The following recent developments have been expe-
of the Board has a very important role to play in the rienced in the Nigerian National Statistical System:
improvement of our Statistical System.
The Statistics Act has provided enabling laws for the (i) Rebasing: It is a well-known fact that the base
proper functioning and administration of the National year for a country should be updated every five
Statistical System. [4] noted that the Statistics Act es- years, but Nigeria has not rebased since 1990.
tablished the NBS, NSS, Governing Board of NBS, but The reform and restructuring of the National Sta-
no structure to handle the NSS; the NBS was formed tistical System has made it possible to rebase
with the mandate to manage NSS, but is itself NSS. which usually incorporates data for a new bench-
mark year. For instance, GDP was rebased in
2.4.3. The National Strategy for the Development of 2014 as a result of this reform in the Statistical
Statistics (NSDS) System.
The major feature of the Marrakech Action Plan (ii) Improvement in the generation of data. The var-
for Statistics (MAPS) is the need for African Coun- ious producers of data have currently been gen-
tries to mainstream strategic planning in their Statis- erating various data promptly. Other agencies
tical System, especially through the implementation are collaborating with NBS to undertake issue
of National Strategy for the Development of Statistics and sector-specific surveys. For example, Small
(NSDS). and Medium Enterprises Development Agency
In Nigeria, the NSDS was a five-year plan spanning of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Ministries, Departments
2009/2010 to 2013/2014 (see [10]). It was to provide and Agencies (MDAs).
mechanisms for a holistic reform of the National Sta- (iii) Major Statistical Results: The major produc-
tistical System (NSS) and ensure an integrated unified ers of statistics such as NBS and CBN have
data production system in the country. The Strategy been able to produce major statistical data such
was developed as a framework for strengthening sta- as monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI), Infla-
tistical capacity across the entire National Statistical tion Rates, GDP (monthly and quarterly), Unem-
System for result-oriented management. The NBS is ployment rates (monthly and quarterly), Gender
the co-ordinating Agency for the development of this Statistics, Consumption pattern, Rainfall data,
Strategy for the entire country with the active support Labour statistics and many other statistical out-
of Development Partners especially the African Devel- puts. Moreover, these data have all been uploaded
opment Bank (AfDB) and the UNDP. The particular in their websites for users’ access.
objectives of the NSDS were to: (iv) Transformation of NBS into a Statistical Office
(i) Improve co-ordination and promote understand- that is capable of meeting the data requirements
ing among and between data producers and users; of its users and which has enabled it to undertake
(ii) Strengthen national capacity to produce, manage some landmark policy initiatives in this regard.
and disseminate statistics through an integrated (v) Establishment of the National Data Centre in
National Statistical System (NSS); Abuja and six zonal Data processing centres in
(iii) Ensure long sustainability of the NSS by secur- the country.
ing funding for priority data production, manage- (vi) A re-organisation of the NBS to provide a robust
ment and dissemination; organization that reflects its professionalization.
348 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues

(vii) Establishment of States Bureau of Statistics in Agency of NSS, the NBS, and observed that as
18 States of the Federation with Statistician Gen- at 2003, the Bureau had 231 professionals, 1583
erals appointed and with enactment and passage sub-professionals and 2657 other staff. From this
of the State Statistics Edict. These States in- figures, it can be seen that the ratio of profession-
clude Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu, Ekiti, als to non-professionals is quite worrisome, as
Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, this would adversely affect the workability of the
Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara. Statistical System. Even though there may have
(viii) The use of a more robust and sophisticated Infor- been an improvement on the number of profes-
mation and Communications Technology in all sional staff and other staff, the NBS is still un-
stages of data production from data capture to der staff in terms of professional staff. The pro-
dissemination. fessionals here include Economists, Statisticians,
(ix) A major methodology review for Labour, Poverty Social Scientists and ICT experts, while the sub-
and macro-economic indicators. It was part of professionals are ND and HND holders. In fact
this process that culminated in the rebasing of the 2007 Statistics Act (Section 8) discourages
GDP estimates. professionalism by providing that membership
(x) Improvement in the use of various statistical data. of the Board of NBS could come from ‘related
There has been a considerable and remarkable fields’ of disciplines not trained in data collec-
use of statistical data for evidence-based policy tion, organization and analysis (Statistics) and
making. [10] noted that there has been an in- no clause for such individuals to be certified by
crease in the statistical data by data users. They a recognized Statistical Institute. This is neces-
showed that from 2005 to 2012, there was a dras- sary because the Board is entitled to make poli-
tic increase in the demand for statistical data, (see cies that drives the functioning of NSS and with-
also [9]). out a good knowledge of data generation and
(xi) Infrastructural development: Olubusoye et use, one cannot make policies and generate struc-
al. [10], observed that NBS has been provided tures for reliable data production. In other agen-
with infrastructural facilities to aid in its proper cies, like Accounting, Engineering, Medical and
functioning. They noted also the magnificent Law, no membership of such board is open for
NBS headquarters at Abuja, the installation of any uncertified person; it is either such person
Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network is an expert in the field or he must have passed
(WAN) and other internet facilities in its offices. through trainings and passed examinations from
Its offices are also equipped with ICT infras- recognized certified professional Institutes oper-
tructures and the design and installation of Vir- ated by recognized professional bodies. These
tual Private Network (VPN) between NBS, 36 professional bodies include Nigeria Society of
states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On Engineers (NSE) and COREN for Engineering,
the whole, this has been an improvement in the Institute for Chatered Accountants of Nigeria
provision of Infrastructure in the co-ordinating (ICAN) and Association of National Accoun-
Agency of the Nigerian National Statistical Sys- tants of Nigeria (ANAN) for Accounting, Nige-
tem for it to generate reliable data in line with ria Medical Association (NMA) for Medical pro-
national and international best practices. fession and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for
Law profession. These bodies become necessary
because they oversee and maintain, among other
3. Issues things, the ethics of the profession, operations of
the functions of the agency in line with national
In spite of the various stages of developments in and international best practices and ensure pro-
the Nigerian Statistical System discussed in this work, fessionalism in their practices. Since these struc-
there are still many challenges and factors militating tures are lacking in the major co-ordinating agen-
against this system. Some of these issues are consid- cies of the NSS, the proper functioning of the
ered and discussed in this section. NSS becomes undermined, amidst existing laws.
(i) Lack of encouragement of professionalization (ii) Inadequate Funding: Inadequate funding has
of the National Statistical System. [9,10] have threatened the proper workings of the National
showcased categories of staff in the co-ordinating Statistical System (NSS) in Nigeria. The estab-
 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues 349

lishment of Statistics Trust Fund enshrined or in- participation always characterize these events.
corporated in the NSDS is yet to be fully swung Had there been adequate funding and full par-
into action. Besides, Government’s funding alone ticipation of these events just as the Centenary
cannot take care of the needs of NBS to fully and Democracy day celebrations, Anniversaries
and properly run our National Statistical System of States’ Creations, Cultural day celebrations
(NSS), in order to meet international standards. and many more, then everybody in Nigeria would
Though, the World Bank has played a vital role in have understood the need to provide and use re-
funding most surveys and other data generation liable data for planning and execution of pro-
activities in the country and some donor agen- grammes and projects in the country. In sum-
cies, such as Dangote and Melina Gates Founda- mary, Nigerians do not appreciate record keep-
tions have also sponsored few health surveys in ing, facts and figures for planning and implemen-
Nigeria, it is not quite enough to really position tation of programmes and projects, because they
the NSS on the same page with other nation’s are not properly informed.
NSS. Corporate Organisations (like MTN, ETI- (iv) Politicization of data and appointments: For a
SALAT, NBL, etc.), individuals and other com- Statistical System to be robust and dependable,
panies are rather tilting towards only sponsoring data gathered and disseminated by it must be re-
entertainments like Big Brother Nigeria, Maltina liable. That is to say that data (estimates) must be
Dance Competitions, Talents show, ‘Who Wants accurate and precise for effective evidence-based
to be a Millionaire?’ and many others with huge planning towards economic growth and develop-
amount of prizes for winners; but they are not in- ment. Many data (information) produced have al-
terested in investing in data generation and col- ways been politicized in Nigeria. This is due to
lection, which would help in putting our econ- the Nigerians’ perceptions and attitudes to data.
omy on a good pedestal, which is confirmed As a result, most figures or responses given dur-
by the submission of the International Monetary ing a survey could be inflated to satisfy a sec-
Fund (IMF), as noted by [11], that good data can tion’s political aspirations. Also, some appoint-
lower the cost of borrowing money in a coun- ments made into the various offices of the agen-
try by 20%. If the Statistics Trust Fund (STF) cies saddled with the responsibilities of genera-
is established and there are private sectors’, in- tion of these reliable statistical data are mostly
ternational agencies’ and individuals’ collabo- politicized. These positions are sometimes used
rations in funding our NSS, then there would to compensate political supporters and sympa-
be enough funding to generate and organize the thizers, without taking into cognizance profes-
much needed data for evidence-based policy for- sional and critical nature of the work to be under-
mulations in this country. taken by these appointees. These appointments
(iii) Awareness: The importance of using data to are also made to protect political and ethnic senti-
make policies that would enhance economic ments since some of the statistics are used in allo-
growth and developments has been played down cation of resources and appointments across the
in Nigeria. Any event capable of creating aware- Federal Agencies. This aspect of the challenge in
ness on the need to imbibe the culture of using the national statistical system has been noted in
facts and figures for evidence-based policy mak- the works of [11] that many National Statistical
ing has not always attracted support from Gov- Offices (NSOs) lack sufficient capacity and fund-
ernment and other organisations. For instance, ing and remain vulnerable to political and inter-
the African Statistics Day and the World Statis- est group influence (including donors).
tics Day that are celebrated on 18th November of (v) Stern position against being a data-oriented so-
every year and 20th November every five years ciety: Nigeria is not regarded as an information-
have not been properly organized to achieve the oriented society. There is no strong belief in data
purpose for which they were meant for; which (evidence) in Nigeria. This brings about low rate
amongst other purposes, was to create awareness of responses from respondents in any Survey, low
on the usefulness of data in any country’s eco- turnouts at events, where data are needed to be
nomic growth and development. Low media cov- generated. It has always been resisting results
erage, inadequate funding, lack of interests by from investigations. Little wonder any person can
Government and private organisations and low react to any issue against or for Nigeria, concern-
350 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues

ing figures or data, without recourse to appropri- was passed into law by the 7th National Assem-
ate agencies. bly. This CISON should also be empowered to
(vi) Inconsistencies on Data productions and updates: create a Statistical Institute capable of training
Most data to be utilized by various users of statis- non-professionals to become professionals and to
tics for planning, research and development are also train professionals to improve on their per-
not always promptly produced and uploaded in formances.
the websites of the major producers of statis- (ii) Government, corporate organisations and indi-
tics – CBN and NBS websites. For example, the viduals, private sectors and other stakeholders
monthly All Share Index data are uploaded in should show interests in events, programmes and
the website of NBS up to 2016 with no data projects involving awareness in data production
for 2017. Also, data for external and domestic and utilization in Nigeria, as this will change the
debts of Nigeria are uploaded in the CBN web- orientation of Nigerians towards the need for data
sites up to 2014 and no data from 2015 to 2017. production and utilization.
This delay in the production and updating of data (iii) The establishment of an effective Statistics Trust
by these major producers sometimes hinder good Fund (STF) that would stand the test of time is
planning, research and implementation for better imperative. Government, Individuals, corporate
economic reforms. organisations and private sectors should be able
(vii) Inadequate Manpower and Manpower Training: to harness resources to contribute to the Trust
Provision and development of Manpower to en- fund for the purpose of funding generation, orga-
sure sustainability and capacity to produce, han- nization and analysis of reliable data.
dle and manage data for effective and integrated (iv) There should be an effective manpower training
National Statistical System (NSS) is lacking or and development plan for proper production and
inadequate. Facilities, Infrastructures, system’s handling of data according to international stan-
structures have been reformed and improved; but dards.
not much is done in the area of manpower devel- (v) Surveys by relevant agencies should be harmo-
opment. In these agencies, staff are not trained on nized through an integrated co-ordination by
how to collect, organize and analyse data as well NBS so as to produce efficient and reliable data.
as write reports on the produced data. Staffs in (vi) Appropriate Statistical Laws should be enforced
the producing units of data need to be frequently on data generation and utilization.
trained to be able to run the improved Statistical (vii) Statistical agencies should collaborate with Na-
System. tional and International organisations or agencies
(viii) Duplication of functions by Statistical agencies: in the area of capacity building, data collection,
Some statistical agencies have the same functions funding, innovations in technology and other lo-
and as such produce the same but differing data gistics (see [18]).
on the same item. For instance, the Federal Road (viii) Data quality should be protected by strengthen-
Safety Commission and the Police produce data ing and improving the NBS and ensuring that it is
on Accidents; the data produced by the two agen- functionally autonomous, independent of sector
cies on the same item may differ in values and Ministries and political influence (see [11]).
contents. This becomes a very big challenge to
both the producers and users of these data.
5. Conclusion

4. Measures to improve the Nigerian National The various stages of developments in the National
Statistical System Statistical System (NSS) have been appraised and
these developments have recorded significant achieve-
In the light of the above issues militating against the ments in the Statistical system of Nigeria. Amidst these
effectiveness of the NSS, the following way forward is significant improvements, it has still been discovered
hereby proposed. that a lot needs to be injected into the Statistical System
(i) Professionalism should be strengthened by Gov- to catapult it to a level that can compete with the Statis-
ernment through amendment of the 2007 Statis- tical Systems of other developing and developed coun-
tics Act and assenting to the CISON Bill that tries. Issues militating against the smooth functioning
 E.J. Ekpenyong and E.I. Enang / The NSS in Nigeria: Developments and issues 351

of the system as identified in this work include, but [6] Doguwa SI. Statistics for National Development. CBN Jour-
not limited to, non-professionalization of the Statisti- nal of Applied Statistics, 2010, 1(1), 99-106.
[7] Ajakaiye O. Enhancing Data Generation for National Devel-
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