Business & Economy

World Bank Raises Concerns Over Nigeria’s Weak Statistical System

Published

4 weeks ago

Mar 27, 2025.

World Bank Raises Concerns Over Nigeria's Weak Statistical System

The World Bank delegation was led by Country Director Ndiame Diop
The World Bank Practice Manager for West and Central Africa highlighted that Nigeria’s statistical system falls short when compared to its developmental counterparts
Bagudu emphasized that the government would refrain from interfering in NBS operations.

The World Bank has expressed concern over Nigeria’s lackluster statistical performance, pointing out that the country is trailing behind its aspirational peers such as Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, and Brazil.

The statement was made by the budget ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Julie Osagie-Jacobs, during a courtesy visit by a World Bank delegation to Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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The World Bank delegation, led by Country Director Ndiame Diop and Practice Manager for West and Central Africa, Mr. Johan Mistiaen, shared a presentation titled “Next Level Statistics to Support Nigeria’s Reform and Growth Agenda” on Wednesday.

Mistiaen highlighted that Nigeria’s statistical system falls short when compared to its developmental counterparts, indicating the need for significant improvements.

He advised that investing between $10 million and $15 million annually in the nation’s statistical infrastructure would lead to marked improvements and bring Nigeria up to par with its peers.

The statement read in part, “Earlier, the Mr. Johan Mistiaen in his presentation on the next level statistics to support Nigeria’s reform and growth agenda, observed that the country’s statistical performance was not at par with its aspirational peers as Mexico, Columbia, South Africa and Brazil.

“He suggested that investing about $10-15m annually into the country’s statistical system, can raise performance to that of its aspirational peers.”

World Bank Raises Concerns Over Nigeria's Weak Statistical System

Responding, Bagudu provided assurance that the Federal Government would continue to uphold the independence of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Acknowledging the Bureau’s consistent release of credible and methodical data relied upon by international organizations, Bagudu emphasized that the government would refrain from interfering in NBS operations.

The minister went on to thank the World Bank for its continued financial and technical support of the agency, stressing the importance of such partnerships for institutional strengthening.