AN Economist, Dr Aminu Usman, has advised the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to be more diligent in data collection and authentication to improve public perception of the quality of its data.

Usman, the Head of Economics Department, Kaduna State University, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the bureau should also improve on awareness campaigns to get more people to access and use its data.

The don, however, commended the bureau for frequent and timely release of its data.

“I therefore believe by and large that NBS is now living up to expectation even though a lot more efforts and professionalism in collecting and processing the data is required.

“My students and I utilise the data provided by the NBS frequently.

“In fact, it turns out now that they are virtually only two credible sources of quality data for researchers and policy makers in Nigeria- these are NBS and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Another uniqueness of the NBS data is that one can get monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual data,’’ he said.

Usman said most student researchers had limitations in accessing quality data, so they rely heavily on the two sources mentioned.

He said that the manner in which the NBS presented its statistics had helped the users of its data to compare with other sources.

“The simplistic mode of the data presentation also enables researchers to compare results of primary data collection with that of the NBS to enable informed conclusions and inferences.’’

According to him, NBS data is very useful to researchers and public sector development planners.

“The statistics enable planners to have quality data to use in designing, implementing and assessing the impact of policies.

“The data also make Nigeria’s critical data assessable to the international community.’’

Usman, also lauded the partnership between NBS and the development partners, adding that the collaboration had also resulted in improving the data released by the bureau.

He said because of the collaboration with international organisations in generating and processing the data before making it public, the quality and reliability of the data had significantly improved.

NAN reports that the NBS is the main national agency responsible for the development and management of official statistics, the authoritative source and custodian of official statistics in Nigeria.

The agency is responsible for collecting, compiling, analysing and publishing statistical information in the country.

It is also responsible for coordinating, monitoring and supervising the National Statistical System. (NAN)

– Jul. 17, 2018 @ 12:49 GMT |