Michael Onjewu, Abuja
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated that the federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, does not interfere in its data reports.
The declaration aims to dispel concerns regarding the integrity and impartiality of the statistics released by the bureau.
The NBS is tasked with providing periodic statistical data on critical aspects of Nigeria’s economy, including inflation rates, poverty levels, corruption indices, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and unemployment rates.
Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician General of the Federation and CEO of the NBS said the bureau has never been pressured by the government to manipulate national figures for political gains.
Speaking at a media sensitization workshop on the Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS) 2022/23 and the rebasing of the GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI), held at the NBS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Adeniran stated that the data released are the result of a systematic and ongoing process, independent of any political agenda.
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“When the results come out, we are often surprised by assertions that they favour the new government. This work began long before anyone even knew who would be running for office,” he said.
Adeniran addressed the common misconception that statistical reports are politically motivated, citing the multidimensional poverty index released in November 2022, which reported that 133 million Nigerians were multidimensionally poor. He noted that both the current government and opposition parties have used this data to support their narratives, highlighting the challenges faced by the NBS in managing public perception.
The Statistician General reiterated that the NBS operates as a professional entity, independent of political influences.
“We are not politicians; we are committed to producing accurate data that reflects reality,” he stated.
Adeniran expressed hope that continued dialogue between the NBS and the media would foster a better understanding of the data production process, leading to more accurate and objective reporting.
“We are here to engage and explain our processes, ensuring that you have the information needed to report effectively,” he added.
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