NBS Adopts Technological Measures To Ensure Data Authenticity, Reliability, Says Statistician General

… Receives Good Governance Award From NUJ

Towards ensuring authenticity of data and reliability, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has adopted remote monitoring of enumerators with aid of technological tools and solutions.

It has also for the past three years been using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) to collect data from the field in all its surveys.

The Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, made these disclosures shortly after being conferred with award of “Good Governance in Economic Development Award” by the Nigerian Union Journalists (NUJ) as part of activities which marked the World Press Freedom Day, in Abuja.

Prince Adeniran, who was represented by the Director of Communication and Public Relations, Mr. Ichedi Sunday Joel, said that the Bureau is investing in ICT for its data collection, analysis, and dissemination in line with global best practices.

“For example, in the past three years or so, the Bureau has been using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) to collect data from the field in all its surveys as against the old method of using hard copy questionnaires to source data from respondents. In this way, the production processes are faster and more cost efficient.

“Today, our enumerators are being remotely monitored through technological tools and solutions through the Data collection Monitoring Room located in the headquarters and other offices in the six geopolitical zones nationwide.

“In addition, the Bureau is also adopting international standard methodology in its data production processes to make Nigeria’s statistical data meet the best global quality standards. One of the surveys which International Standard Methodology was applied was the conduct of the Nigerian Labour Force Sample Survey (NLFSS).

“Other ongoing statistical activities which the Bureau is applying international methodology to conduct are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing”, said the Statistician General.

He further said the Bureau has concluded the National Agricultural Sample Census/National Agricultural Sample Survey, Nigerian Living Standard Survey, Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey, Survey on Force and Child Labour, among others, as part of its sustained efforts to update data across the broad spectrum of the political economy.

In reference to the award, he said it is a call to more work in the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS’) sustained drive towards improved, evidence-based statistical data production for our national development.

“This award is not only for me but the entire hard-working staff of the Bureau, who are always supporting the management to ensure that reliable data needed to guide policy makers in our national development agenda are generated on timely basis”, he said.

Among the the Awardees in the category are: The Governors of Benue and Borno States, Minister of Education, DG of NTA, DG of Voice of Nigeria, National President of NUT and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited.