National Statistical System Reform: The Transformation of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Problem: Very weak and corrupt Federal Office of Statistics that was unable to produce the relevant and robust statistics needed for national planning and evidence-based policy.

Reform Actions:
- The 5-year National Statistical Master Plan 2004
- The Statistical Act 2007 which empowered the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as the custodian of official statistics
- The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics 2010
- The repositioning and strengthening of the NBS.

Main Achievements: The reform led to the transformation of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) into a competent and professional organisation. It has significantly improved its services in terms of the high quality production of timely data relevant to the demands of users in government, academia, research institutes, private sector, and donor agencies. The successful rebasing of Nigeria’s gross domestic product is a significant achievement. The reform has reduced the cost of governance in terms of the accessibility of statistical data through the Internet, thereby reducing the costs of travelling and the delays associated with collecting data in the recent past. NBS now publishes an online data release calendar, developed a comprehensive methodology review for labour, poverty and price statistics and has increased the use of statistical data.

Key Challenges: (a) The politicisation of the data they provide, particularly on poverty rates; (b) slow pace of statistical development at the sub-national level; and (c) continued apathy towards statistics and their importance, particularly by MDAs. 

Reference:  Public Service Reforms in Nigeria (1999-2014) - A Comprehensive Review

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