Nigeria's Abbas Advocates for Modern Statistical System

Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, declared that Nigeria cannot build a $1 trillion economy based on outdated data. He made this statement during a public hearing on the Statistics Bill 2025, which aims to comprehensively overhaul the country's statistical framework.

Abbas proposed legislation to replace the Statistics Act of 2007 with a new legal framework designed to strengthen the National Bureau of Statistics and improve data governance. He argued that the existing framework is inadequate due to rapid technological changes and the growing importance of data-driven governance.

The proposed bill seeks to modernize the national statistical system, enhance coordination among government data-producing agencies, and improve data quality. Abbas emphasized the necessity of reliable data for effective policy formulation and resource allocation, noting that the current law has not adapted to technological advancements over nearly two decades.

He urged stakeholders from various sectors to contribute to the legislative process to ensure it meets contemporary needs.