NBS - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Dec, Wed, 2024

FG pledges to strengthen healthcare system

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By Nana Musa

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), made this statement on Wednesday during the launch of the National Health Facility Survey (NHFS) Report 2023 in Abuja.

Adeniran stated that the NHFS 2023 builds on the 2016 and 2019 surveys, using improved tools to assess service availability and health facilities’ readiness to deliver essential services.

“This latest report includes several improvements, particularly in data collection methods from selected health facilities nationwide.

“These enhancements provide a comprehensive framework for assessing service availability and evaluating the readiness of facilities to deliver effective healthcare,” Adeniran said.

He noted the inclusion of Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) developed in collaboration with the World Bank and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), which focus on primary healthcare delivery.

According to Adeniran, the SDIs promote accountability, enhance governance, and enable targeted interventions for better healthcare outcomes.

He acknowledged the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system, including inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel.

“Many Nigerians still face difficulties accessing quality healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Despite various reforms and investments by the government and development partners, significant challenges remain,” Adeniran said.

He listed issues such as infant mortality rates of 63 per 1,000 live births (as per the latest National Health and Demographic Survey) and widespread shortages of essential medicines.

“These ongoing issues hinder the provision of equitable healthcare to all Nigerians, especially in underserved areas,” he added.

Adeniran also noted the growing migration of healthcare professionals to countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom in pursuit of better salaries, working conditions, and career prospects.

This trend, he said, has further strained the healthcare system by exacerbating the shortage of skilled workers.

He emphasised the importance of the NHFS report in addressing these challenges, describing it as an essential resource for policymakers and healthcare administrators.

“The data in this report provides an insightful analysis of the current state of health facilities and offers evidence-based recommendations for informed decision-making.

“By leveraging this information, we can implement targeted interventions to address urgent issues, especially at the primary healthcare level,” he stated.

Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described the event as a pivotal moment for the country’s health sector.

Represented by the Minister of State, Dr Iziaq Salako, Pate highlighted the survey’s significance, stating that the findings offer invaluable insights into the preparedness and capacity of health facilities to deliver essential services.

“This survey used the WHO’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool and the World Bank’s SDI to evaluate the performance of over 3,000 public health facilities nationwide,” Pate said.

He noted that the findings shine a light on the strengths and gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in primary and secondary facilities, which serve the majority of the population.

“These insights are crucial for shaping policies and interventions that will improve healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians,” Pate added.

The report, he said, serves as a guide for future investments and targeted efforts to address service delivery gaps, improve healthcare infrastructure, and enhance the overall quality of care.

“By using this data strategically, we can focus our resources on areas where they are most needed, ensuring better healthcare services for all Nigerians, regardless of location or socio-economic status,” he concluded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Thu, 2024

Economy/Business

NBS unveils 5th general household survey panel

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By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has unveiled the fifth wave of the General Household Survey- Panel(GHS-Panel) which will help track the resilience of Nigerian households over time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GHS- Panel Wave 5 2023/2024, which was carried out by the NBS in partnership with the World Bank, was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday.

Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation, said the GHS Panel survey was a multi-topic data collection exercise that served as an essential tool for capturing the dynamics of Nigerian households.

Adeniran said the survey was important because it provided invaluable insights into their economic activities, well-being, and resilience.

“It specifically collects information on household income, assets and consumption, income-generating activities, health, education, shocks, and much more.

“It is a longitudinal survey, meaning that it tracks and interviews the same respondents over time.

“In this case, with this being the 5th Wave of the survey, approximately the same 5,000 households have been followed and interviewed across five waves and wave one was conducted in 2010/2011.

He said the panel approach allowed for some interesting analysis to be done, which could better tell the story of life in Nigeria and the living conditions of Nigerians.

“For example, using data from Waves Four and Five, an asset index was created which categorised households into three groups based on their wealth transition across time.

“41.7 per cent of the households stayed in the same wealth quintile as reported in Wave 4, while 29.4 per cent experienced an upward shift, and 28.9 per cent experienced a decline in their position in the wealth distribution.

“The key factors influencing these changes included environmental and economic shocks, with households experiencing downward mobility more likely to report being affected by floods and post-harvest losses as the main cause of the changes”.

Adeniran said the most important was the impact of the survey in terms of its contribution to knowledge and the application of its findings to the design of policies and programmes.

“Available records indicate that, over the last five years, the survey findings have been used to design several projects and intervention programmes worth approximately 8.9 billion Dollars across many sectors.

“These sectors include Agriculture and Food, Education, Water, Social Protection and Jobs, Governance, and several others”.

Adeniran said for the 5th wave of the survey, enhanced modules that captured key aspects such as migration patterns, remittances and the impacts of climate-related shocks were introduced.

He said additional modules on children were also incorporated, with one of the modules capturing early childhood development, and identifying the main caregivers of the children in the household.

“ I, therefore, encourage all policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders here today to engage with the data and use these insights to drive evidence-based decisions and policy-making across your work.

“Whether for poverty reduction initiatives, social welfare programmes, or economic development strategies, the findings of this report offer a powerful foundation for addressing the specific needs of all Nigerians,” he said.

Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, said the outcome of the survey would serve as a centre stage for proper planning.

Bagudu, represented by Dr Zainab Pisagih, Director of Planning in the ministry, said the survey findings would help with decision-making, strategic planning, and allocation of resources to the right channels.

“The survey will change the way we think at the planning stage and help us stay focused so we can plan better for the Nigerian economy”.

Dr Ndiame Diop, World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, said the survey was important in understanding how Nigerian households responded to policy changes, crises and shocks.

Diop was represented by Vinay Vutukuru, Programme Leader, Sustainable Development, Nigeria.

Diop, however, said the key thing was how the data would be used by ministries and stakeholders for effective policy formulation to achieve economic and sustainable growth.

He pledged the bank’s continuous support in working with the NBS to strengthen Nigeria’s statistical system. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Fri, 2024

Economy/Business

Nigeria’s inflation rose to 33.88% in October- NBS

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By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 33.88 per cent in October 2024.

The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for October 2024, which was released in Abuja on Friday.

According to the report, the figure is 1.18 per cent points higher compared to the 32.70 per cent recorded in September 2024.

It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in October 2024 was 6.55 per cent higher than the rate recorded in October 2023 at 27.33 per cent.

In addition, the report said on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in October 2024 was 2.64 per cent, which was 0.12 per cent higher than the rate recorded in September 2024 at 2.52 per cent.

“This means that in October 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level was higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in September 2024”.

The report said the increase in the headline index for October 2024 on a year-on-year and month-on-month basis was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

It said these increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel, clothing and footwear, transport and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance.

Others include education, health, and miscellaneous goods and services, restaurants and hotels, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and kola, recreation and culture, and communication.

It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending October 2024 over the average CPI for the previous 12 months was 32.26 per cent.

“This indicates an 8.82 per cent increase compared to 23.44 per cent recorded in October 2023”.

The report said the food inflation rate in October 2024 increased to 39.16 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.64 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in October 2023 at 31.52 per cent.

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis is caused by increases in prices of guinea corn, rice, maize grains, beans, yam, water yam, and Cocoyam.

“Others are palm oil, vegetable oil, Lipton, Milo, and Bournvita, among others”.

It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in October was 2.94 per cent, which was a 0.30 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in September 2024 at 2.64 per cent.

“The increase in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by an increase in the average prices of palm oil, vegetable oil, mudfish, croaker, fresh fish, dried beef, goat meat, mutton, and skin meat.

“Others are bread, guinea corn flour, plantain flour, rice, among others”.

The report said that “all items less farm produce and energy’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 28.37 per cent in October on a year-on-year basis.

“This increased by 5.79 per cent compared to 22.58 per cent recorded in October 2023.

“The exclusion of the PMS is due to the deregulation of the commodity by removal of subsidy.”

It said the highest increases were recorded in prices of bus Journey within the city, Journey by motorcycle, and bus journey intercity among others.

“Others are rents, meal at a local Restaurant, hair cut service, woman hair brush, women’s hairdressing, among others”.

The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.14 per cent in October 2024.

“This indicates a 0.04 per cent increase compared to what was recorded in September 2024 at 2.10 per cent.

“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 26.12 per cent for the 12 months ending October 2024; this was 6.14 per cent points higher than the 19.98 per cent recorded in October 2023”.

The report said on a year-on-year basis in October 2024, the urban inflation rate was 36.38 per cent, which was 7.09 per cent higher compared to the 29.29 per cent recorded in October 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.75 per cent, which increased by 0.08 per cent compared to September 2024 at 2.67 per cent”.

The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, the rural inflation rate was 31.59 per cent, which was 6.01 per cent higher compared to the 25.58 per cent recorded in October 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 2.53 per cent, which increased by 0.14 per cent compared to September 2024 at 2.39 per cent.’’

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that in October, all items’ inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Bauchi at 46.68 per cent, followed by Kebbi at 40.02per cent, and Sokoto at 39.65 per cent.

It, however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Delta at 27.85 per cent, followed by Benue at 28.22 per cent, and Katsina at 29.59 per cent.

The report, however, said in October 2024, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Kano at 3.77 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 3.74 per cent, and Anambra at 3.59 per cent.

“Kwara at 1.27 per cent, followed by Ondo at 1.49 per cent and Lagos at 1.91 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation”.

The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 52.18 per cent, followed by Edo at 46.55 per cent, and Borno at 45.85 per cent.

“Kwara at 31.68 per cent, followed by Kogi at 33.30 per cent and Rivers at 33.87 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis”.

The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Adamawa at 5.08 per cent, followed by Sokoto at 4.86 per cent, and Yobe at 4.34 per cent.

“Kwara at 1.11 per cent, followed by Ondo at 1.31 per cent and Kogi at 1.50 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Fri, 2024

Economy/Business

Media critical stakeholder in data production- Statistician-General

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By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, says the media plays a critical role in the production of data in Nigeria.

Adeniran said this at a Dialogue with Editors on the: “Rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS)” in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the media’s understanding of the data production process would ensure adequate and effective reportage of the statistics published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Adeniran said the dialogue was organised to ensure that the routine yet important statistical exercises were fully understood and utilised to enhance public knowledge, inform policy, and improve overall economic governance in Nigeria.

“As critical partners in the data production process, we want the media to become a strong voice and advocate of the work you see going on in the Bureau and within the Statistical System in the country.

“We want your reportage to be accurate, objective, and sound, to help build the confidence and trust of the public in what we do.

“In so doing, the output of the process will reflect an accurate picture of living conditions and the state of the economy in Nigeria.

“It will also enhance the understanding of emerging sectors and economic activities, and satisfy the needs of all users of the data.

“For NBS, we see these engagements as a necessary aspect of the data production process.”

Adeniran said one of the United Nations fundamental principles of official statistics was accountability and transparency, and the dialogue was one way the NBS ensured that the processes were open and transparent.

He said this would help promote and enhance the credibility of the system and build confidence in what the NBS was doing.

“It is also another way of ensuring inclusivity, promoting collaboration, and engendering partnership throughout the process of these exercises, and the NBS’s wider data production.”

The statistician-general said the NBS on its path, would continue to remain objective, open, transparent, professional and not emotional in carrying out its mandate.

“The work we do in the NBS is very sensitive, it goes beyond producing data to show the feelings of the people because that is the only way the government can plan and come up with effective policies.”

He said it would be wrong for the bureau to give the government false data because it would be of no help to both the government and the citizens.

“Therefore, the notion that we produce data to favour the government in power should not arise because it would be counterproductive.

“Our results do not favour any government because they are routine surveys carried out before any particular government comes into power.

“We publish only whatever the data says. So it is important to explain and dialogue so you can understand the process to report accurately and objectively.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was attended by chief executives and editors of various media organisations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

Economy/Business

NBS unveils Nigeria residential energy demand-side survey

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By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has unveiled the Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS) 2024 to support the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s energy needs.

Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NBS, announced this at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adeniran explained that the NREDSS 2024 was initiated to assess and estimate energy demand in the residential sector for the 2024 reference period.

He added that the survey also gathered key information on household energy usage patterns for cooking, lighting, and cooling.

“The primary goal of this survey, which was piloted in nine states, is to gain a comprehensive understanding of energy consumption patterns among Nigerian households.

“Through this survey, we have collected valuable data on a range of factors, including energy consumption patterns, access to electricity, energy affordability, and energy efficiency,” Adeniran said.

He noted that insights from the survey would guide policymaking and planning efforts, noting that the data would help improve energy distribution and promote energy efficiency.

The information, he said would also be used to expand renewable energy sources and address energy poverty.

Adeniran stressed the importance of applying the survey findings judiciously to close the gap in energy supply within the residential sector.

Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of the survey for increasing energy access in Nigeria.

She noted that the lack of reliable data has been a barrier to improving energy access in the country.

“Without accurate data on supply and demand, assessing energy security and access will always be incomplete.

“Nigeria’s energy balance is crucial for tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and advancing energy policy, which has often relied on traditional or secondary data.

“This survey marks a significant step forward,” Stefanowicz said.

She revealed that the survey found 60 per cent of households are connected to the national grid, with most located in urban areas.

However, she noted that due to the grid’s unreliability, many households rely on petrol and diesel, with an estimated annual expenditure of nearly N330 billion.

Stefanowicz also mentioned that the next phase of the survey would focus on energy use in the industrial sector.

Mr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), noted that the survey would help guide the Federal Government’s energy transition programme.

Represented by Mohammed Modu, Director of Energy Information Systems at the commission, Abdullahi said the survey would provide vital inputs for policy formulation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the survey was conducted in nine states: Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, Oyo, Enugu, Kwara, Plateau, Kano, and Sokoto.

A total of 8,100 households participated, with 900 households surveyed in each state.

The survey was a collaborative effort between NBS, the Federal Ministry of Power, ECN, the International Energy Agency, and the European Union. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

Economy/Business

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 32.70% in September -NBS

339 total views today

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 32.70 per cent in September 2024.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, revealed this in a statement issued on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for September 2024 in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the report, the figure is 0.55 per cent points higher compared to the 32.15 per cent recorded in August 2024.

It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in September 2024 was 5.98 per cent higher than the rate recorded in September 2023 at 26.72 per cent.

The report said the increase in the headline index for September 2024 on a year-on-year basis was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

It said these increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages (16.94 per cent), housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel (5.47 per cent), clothing and footwear (2.50 per cent), and transport (2.13 per cent).

“Others were furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (1.64 per cent) education (1.29 per cent), health (0.98 per cent), and miscellaneous goods and services (0.54 per cent).

“Others include restaurants and hotels (0.40 per cent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco and kola (0.36 per cent), recreation and culture, and communication (0.22 per cent).”

In addition, the report said on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in September 2024 was 2.52 per cent, which was 0.30 per cent higher than the rate recorded in August 2024 at 2.22 per cent.

It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending September 2024 over the average CPI for the previous 12 months was 31.73 per cent.

“This indicates an 8.83 per cent increase compared to 22.90 per cent recorded in September 2023.”

The report said the food inflation rate in September 2024 increased to 37.77 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.13 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2023 at 30.64 per cent.

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis is caused by increases in prices of guinea corn, rice, maize grains, beans, yam, water yam, and cassava tuber.

“Others are beer (Local and Foreign), Lipton, Milo, Bournvita, vegetable oil, palm oil, among others.”

It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in September was 2.64 per cent, which was a 0.27 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in August 2024 at 2.37 per cent.

“The increase in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by an increase in the average prices of Beer (Local and Foreign), tobacco class, vegetable oil, groundnut oil, and palm oil.

“Others are beef, gizzard, dried beef, Lipton, Milo, Bournvita, milk, and egg, among others.”

The report said that “all items less farm produce and energy’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 27.43 per cent in September on a year-on-year basis.

“This increased by 5.59 per cent compared to 21.84 per cent recorded in September 2023.

“The exclusion of the PMS is due to the deregulation of the commodity by removal of subsidy.”

It said the highest increases were recorded in prices of rents, bus Journey intercity, and Journey by motorcycle, among others.

“Others are accommodation service, laboratory service, x-ray photography, consultation fee of a medical doctor, among others.”

The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.10 per cent in September 2024.

“This indicates a 0.17 per cent decrease compared to what was recorded in August 2024 at 2.27 per cent.

“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 25.64 per cent for the 12 months ending September 2024; this was 6.09 per cent points higher than the 19.55 per cent recorded in September 2023.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis in September 2024, the urban inflation rate was 35.13 per cent, which was 6.46 per cent higher compared to the 28.68 per cent recorded in September 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.67 per cent, which increased by 0.28 per cent compared to August 2024 at 2.39 per cent.’’

The report said on a year-on-year basis in September, the rural inflation rate was 30.49 per cent, which was 5.55 per cent higher compared to the 24.94 per cent recorded in September 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 2.39 per cent, which increased by 0.33 per cent compared to August 2024 at 2.06 per cent.’’

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that in September, all items’ inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Bauchi at 44.83 per cent, followed by Sokoto at 38.74 per cent, and Jigawa at 38.39 per cent.

It, however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Delta at 26.35 per cent, followed by Benue at 26.90 per cent, and Katsina at 27.71 per cent.

The report, however, said in September 2024, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Sokoto 4.63 per cent, followed by Taraba at 4.07 per cent, and Anambra at 3.74 per cent.

“Kwara at 1.14 per cent, followed by Cross River at 1.78 per cent and Lagos at 1.82 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 50.47 per cent, followed by Gombe at 44.09 per cent, and Yobe at 43.51 per cent.

“Kwara at 32.45 per cent, followed by Rivers at 32.80 per cent and Kogi at 32.83 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’

The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 5.94 per cent, followed by Taraba at 5.76 per cent, and Bayelsa at 4.44 per cent.

“Kwara at 0.88 per cent, followed by Cross River at 1.29 per cent and Kogi at 1.45 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru