Nigeria expresses interest in building capacity for data use as 50x2030 program planning begins

Members of the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) met with 50x2030 to begin planning their participation in the Initiative. Emsuesiri Ojo, Technical Adviser to the Statistician-General; Simon B. Harry, Director of the Corporate Planning and Technical Coordination Department; and David Babalola, Head of the Agriculture and Business and Enterprises Division attended on behalf of the partner country.

During the meeting, NBS officials expressed Nigeria’s priorities as it partners with 50x2030. Specifically, they highlighted the importance of data use in the agriculture sector and identified as a primary need data use capacity building for data producers, policy makers and the media. They also stressed their goal of harmonizing future data collection instruments of 50x2030 including conducting a follow-up survey on agricultural production in 2023 aligned with the Nigeria Agricultural Sample Census 2022.

Agricultural statistics in Nigeria currently covers crops, livestock, poultry, fishing, and forestry. The country will implement the 50x2030 survey program after the 5th General Household Survey panel, which will be implemented as part of the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) program.

The kick-off meeting covered a range of topics, including an in-depth look at the state of the statistical system and of agricultural and rural statistics in Nigeria along with plans for national coordination. Members of NBS also shared some of the challenges the country is facing with regards to the agricultural data system such as incomplete data on agriculture and an inability to conduct regular agricultural surveys due to inadequate funding and limited technical capacity. The partnership with 50x2030 is an opportunity for the sector to address all of these issues.

Next steps involve developing Nigeria’s program implementation plan with support from the 50x2030 implementing agencies, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development and World Bank, and the 50x2030 Program Management Team. The plan will contain the annual and multi-year work plan and budget requirements for the implementation of the Initiative in Nigeria.

(Image credit: FarmKonnect Nigeria)