SG: PRINCE ADEYEMI ADENIRAN - 2023 MESSAGE

The beginning of a new year presents us with the opportunity to reflect on the past year, as we plan and strategize for the year ahead. The past year was an eventful one for us at the National Bureau of Statistics. It was a year which saw the completion and launch of some significant reports and the achievement of several milestones. Notable among these were; the conclusion of the National Agricultural Sample Census (NASC) which was the first since 1993, the launch of the 2021/22 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6) and the National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS) Results, the launch of the Multidimensional Poverty Index, which is Nigeria’s most extensive study on multidimensional poverty, and the commencement of the newly improved Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) and the Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS). These activities in addition to our routine statistical outputs, ensured that we remained focused on our mandate of providing government and the public with timely and accurate data, necessary for evidence-based decision making.

While we celebrate these achievements of the past year, we remember with deep sadness, the dark moment of the period- the passing of our former Statistician-General, Dr. Simon B. Harry, who laid the foundation for most of the achievements we recorded last year. We remain committed to honouring him and the legacy he left behind, by building on that which he achieved during his brief but remarkable tenure as Statistician-General of the Federation.

 Ahead of us lies a statistical year filled with prospects of boundless achievements and like always, we intend to take the bull by the horn, accepting and surmounting any challenge we may face, no matter how daunting. We have already concluded preparations for the conduct of the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS), which is currently underway. In addition, the Nigeria Living Standard Survey and the Nigeria Labour Force Survey will continue as planned, with quarterly unemployment figures published at the end of each quarter. These, in addition to results from the NLSS will set the stage for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing as well as the reweighting of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket of items, which will be completed at the end of this year. Our 2023 data release calendar which is published on the NBS website, provides a comprehensive list of Statistical reports to be published this year. 

We remain steadfast in our resolve to build an effective and efficient National Statistical System and a World Class National Statistical Office, to ensure improved output. This can only be achieved by ensuring that the National Bureau of Statistics is adequately resourced with the requisite technical knowledge and capacity.  Consequently, various trainings and capacity building programmes are being planned for staff at all levels of the Bureau to improve technical capacity within the Bureau. We are also putting plans in place to ensure that these capacity building programmes are cascaded to State Statistical Agencies and Statistical Arms of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), to strengthen the National Statistical System as well as enhance coordination within the system.

Data remains the bedrock on which policies that have meaningful and sustainable impact are developed. It is with this in view, that we work towards renewing and strengthening our partnerships and relationships with Development Partners, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Government and policy makers, to ensure that we continue to provide data for evidence-based planning and data driven decision making for policies and programmes. We stand ready to continue to collaborate with willing partners, so as to contribute our own quota to the fulfilment of agenda 2030, the National Development Plan, as well as other developmental aspirations of Nigeria.

Data is only as useful as the trust users have in it and so we are determined to maintain the integrity of our data at all costs, just as we have always done.

We have commenced the work year with a fresh drive to pursue our mandate and we are prepared for the great task ahead. We therefore seek the support of all stakeholders and the public, as we step up advocacy efforts, so that the public is well informed and educated on all our statistical products.

I wish us all a successful and productive 2023!

Best wishes!

Prince Adeyemi Adeniran

Statistician-General of the Federation/ Chief Executive Officer

National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria.