September 11, 2024

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

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Breaking News

1 Group drums support for FGs plan to privatise refineries

2 FG committed to independence of auditor-general’s office – Tinubu

3 FCTA, GAIN sign MoU on access to affordable, nutritious food

4 FG, stakeholders synergise to boost poultry production

5 Eguavoen says report of quitting false

Metro

FG inaugurates committee on national housing data centre 

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data Centre, to develop and implement a blueprint for ensuring transparency and easy access to housing.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa,  inaugurated the centre on Tuesday in Abuja.

Dangiwa said that  the centre would be useful for policy and decision making towards affordable housing and the well-being of Nigerians.

He said that the measure was imperative in order to meet the housing needs of Nigerians and unleash the sector’s potential as an enabler of economic growth.

According to him, there are many issues in the sector that need fixing.

“The lack of credible, scientific, and verifiable data on the state of housing in our country stands out as the most pressing and embarrassing.

“This is because, without data, we cannot know the magnitude of the problem we are facing, and the resources we need to allocate.

“This is coupled with the challenge of substandard houses that do not meet the conditions of safety,  security and other parameters as set out by the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO),’’ he said.

Dangiwa added that there was no industry-accepted data to guide the government, housing agencies, and financial institutions in planning and outlining strategies to fix Nigeria’s housing problems.

“What we have had over the decades are speculations and estimates.

“At the Ministry, we consider this a national emergency for the housing sector and as a government, we can not allow it to continue.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, for housing and urban development, fixing Nigeria’s housing data problem is a top priority, ” he said.

The minister said it was as a result of the challenges  that they were inaugurating the Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data.

“The Committee has been established as a strategic partnership among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing market.

“The mandate is to develop and implement a blueprint for ensuring transparency and ease of access to housing data in Nigeria.

“It will be essential for policy and decision-making towards affordable housing and the well-being of Nigerians,”he said

Dangiwa said that key deliverables of the committee would be to develop the framework and modalities for setting up the National Housing Data Centre (NHDC).

He said that the committee would  cover technical requirements, specifications, including transactional and legal documentation

“It will also create a framework for data gathering channels from public and private institutions.

“It will design a framework for distributing housing data to institutional and retail investors in the Nigerian financial market, ” he said.

The minister said that the committee would develop a framework for data distribution to all participants in the housing market and establish the framework and timelines for setting up a mortgage exchange.

Mr Kehinde Ogundimu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), pledged the commitment of the committee to deliver on the mandate.

“We will work together and put forth something that will be credible, reliable, and  that people can use to make informed decisions,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that membership of the committee includes a representative from Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to serve as the Chairman

Others are representatives from National Population Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria, NMRC,  and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Also included are Federal Housing Authority, Family Homes Funds Limited, Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, Housing Development Association of Nigeria, among others.NAN)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Business

Food prices rise in June- NBS

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beans, tomatoes, irish potatoes, garri, yam and other food items witnessed significant price increases in June 2024.

The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for June 2024 released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 252.13 per cent from N651.12 recorded in June 2023 to N N2,292.76 in June 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 14.11 per cent in June from the N2,009.23 recorded in May 2024.”

It said that the average price of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 320.67 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N547.28 recorded in June 2023 to N2,302.26 in June 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomatoes increased by 55.97 per cent from the N1,479.69 recorded in May 2024.”

The report said that the average price of irish potatoes increased by 288.50 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 51.92 per cent from the N1,595.07 recorded in May 2024.”

The NBS said that the average price of 1kg of white garri rose by 181.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 1.86 per cent from N1,114.72 recorded in May 2024.

In addition, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 295.79 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 recorded in June 2023 to N2,2021.55 in June 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 52.87 per cent from N1, 322.36 recorded in May 2024 to 2,021.55 in June 2024.”

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in June 2024, the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Kogi at N 3,006.43, while the lowest was recorded in Adamawa at N 1,336.11.

It said that Abuja recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomato at N3,992.61, while the lowest was recorded in Kebbi at N1,200.

The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber was recorded in Lagos at N3,376.54, while the lowest price was recorded in Adamawa at N1,100.

According to the report, Gombe recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,619.27, while the lowest was reported in Taraba at N900.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of brown beans was highest in the North-Central at N 2,923.45, followed by the South-South at N 2,630.03.

“The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N1,647.03.”

The South-West and South-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomatoes at N3,261.84 and N2,852.59, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N1,411.16.

The report said that the South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber a tN2,745.80, followed by the North-Central at N 2,440.35, while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N1,238.49.

The NBS said also that the South-West and the North-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,199.62 and N1,155.63, respectively.

“The North-Central recorded the lowest price of 1kg of white garri at N1,055.87.”

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the federal government in a bid to address the incessant increase in food prices and ensure food security recently granted a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities.

The suspended duty tariffs and taxes will be on the importation of certain food items across the land and sea borders which include maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice.

However, experts have suggested more sustainable measures such as addressing the issue of insecurity, foreign exchange and transportation costs to address the soaring food prices and ensure food security. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Business

Nigeria has 40.2m agriculture households – NBS

By Okeoghene Akubuike

Nigeria has about 40.2 million agricultural households, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)  has said.

This was made known at the unveiling of the National Agricultural Sample Census (NASC) 2022 in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the census was conducted by the NBS in partnership with the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. 

The report revealed that out of the 91 per cent of agricultural households that cultivated crops, 35 per cent practised only crop cultivation while 48 per cent reported raising any type of livestock.

It showed that 16 per cent of the households raised 58 million cattle, while 41.2 per cent raised about 124 million goats.

“While 42.5 per cent raised poultry, most commonly chickens, while five per cent practised fisheries.”

The report showed that the lowest percentage of agricultural households into Crop Cultivation was recorded in Lagos State at 48.0 per cent, while Ebonyi recorded the highest at 99.5 per cent.

It showed the highest percentage of agricultural households engaged in Livestock Production was reported in Jigawa at 84.2 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 79.7 per cent .

The report said for Poultry, the highest percentage of agricultural households was recorded in Benue at 65.2 per cent, followed by Ebonyi State at 63.3 per cent.

Bishop Ohioma, Assistant Director, Agricultural and Business Enterprises Statistics Department, NBS, while giving an overview of the report, said the survey has two components which include the listing component and the sample survey component.

Ohioma said the listing component was what was being unveiled while the sample survey component would be unveiled in a few months.

He said the census provided a robust dataset that would support agricultural interventions programmes, enhance food security, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

He said the NASC listing was conducted using digitised Enumeration Area (EA) maps in all the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.

Ohioma said 767 Local Government Areas (LGAS) in the country were canvassed, however, seven LGAs were not covered as at the time of the Census, following insecurity concerns.

He said the uncovered LGAs were four LGAs in Imo state and three LGAs in Borno state.

Ohioma said 40 EAs were covered in each LGA and the number of EAs covered varied by state, both urban and rural EAs were covered.

“In all, 30,546 EAs were covered nationwide out of the proposed 30,960. ”

He said one of the recommendations from the report include the need for Government to allocate more resources to support the conduct of the quarterly and annual National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS).

Ohioma said the report also recommended Technical and financial Partners to sustain support in the conduct of quarterly and annual surveys.

“Technical and financial Partners to continuously provide support to build capacity of staff of the NBS in agricultural statistics production.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure the sustainability of the NASC in Nigeria.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Prof. Uche Uwaleke
Agriculture , General News

Uwaleke tasks FG on more strategies against food inflation

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Prof. Uche Uwaleke, the President of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, has advised the Federal Government to initiate more strategies to tackle rising food inflation.

Uwaleke gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He reacted to the May inflation figure.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 33.95 per cent in May.

The NBS made this known in its Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report for May, which was released on Saturday.

The figure is 0.26 per cent points higher than the 33.69 per cent recorded in April.

The NBS said that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 11.54 per cent higher than that of May 2023 which was 22.41 per cent.

The report said the food inflation rate in May 2024 increased to 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent higher than 24.82 per cent recorded in May 2023.

The NBS said that in May 2024, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi, with 46.32 per cent, followed by Ekiti with 44.94 per cent.

Uwaleke said that the Federal Government should devise more effective strategies to combat banditry and kidnapping to tackle inflation.

He added that the government should hasten repair of public refineries as well as scale up the number of compressed natural gas buses being introduced to ease transport.

“I have always maintained that, to deal with the rising food inflation, the fiscal authority has a lot of roles to play.

“This is because the major causative factors such as insecurity in the food-belt regions, transport and logistics challenges, as well as epileptic power supply and high cost of fuel, are all outside the control of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

Uwaleke said that Nigeria’s economy was being challenged by a cost-push inflation emanating from high transport and energy costs, as well as insecurity, among other issues.

He said that insecurity aggravated the situation through food supply shortages.

On the Kogi food inflation figure, Uwaleke attributed it to bad roads which, he said, made it difficult for farmers to convey food items from their farms.

“I understand the rural roads in Kogi are not in good condition; so, farmers have difficulty conveying food items from their farms. Insecurity is also a cause.

“Kogi (especially Lokoja) serves as a transit route for many travellers from the North to the South and vice versa, who normally stop over to eat and make purchases before proceeding on their journeys.

“This tends to push up prices of commodities in Kogi.

“Even in terms of headline inflation, Kogi has always recorded the highest except for last month when it was second highest after Bauchi,” Uwaleke said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Business

Statistician-General calls for action to eradicate poverty in Nigeria

By Okeoghene Akubuike

Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation has called on stakeholders to take action to eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

Adeniran, CEO, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said this at a Stakeholders Technical Dialogue on the “Operationalisation of the Multidimensional Poverty Index(MPI) as a Policy Tool in Nigeria” in Abuja on Thursday.

He said results from the 2022 MPI survey showed Nigeria has 133 million citizens living in multidimensional poverty in spite of its vast resources and potential for exponential growth.

“The MPI has given us a clear picture of what is happening in Nigeria. It has shown us that poverty in Nigeria is not merely a lack of income but a deprivation of health, education and living standards.

“It is a daily struggle for clean water, adequate nutrition, safe housing and quality education for all genders and demography. But we have an opportunity to change the situation we are in.

“We can no longer afford to look away, the MPI report has highlighted critical areas that demand our attention. It has illuminated a clear path for strategic recommendations to lift millions out of poverty.

“We need your support and your contribution can turn this recommendations into reality.”

Adeniran said the common fund basket that was used from 2021 to 2022 to conduct the MPI survey was empty, as he called for adequate funding for the proposed programmes.

“The urgency we need to put in place programmes and projects to eradicate poverty is very urgent now.

“Every second we delay to tackle this poverty, another child loses their chance for a better life, and another family struggles to make ends meet.

“Our collective action is crucial in changing this narrative. Investing in these programmes is an investment in the future and our testament to our shared vision of a Nigeria where every citizen can live in dignity and opportunity.

“We call upon you all present, international donor agencies, international and national development banks, philanthropists, business leaders, policymakers and every Nigerian who believes in the power of hope.

“ Please be the catalyst that transforms vulnerability into strength, and that can change poverty into prosperity.”

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff said an essential step to responding to poverty in Nigeria was to integrate a gender perspective into data collection.

“Based on what has been highlighted in this report and we hope to see the discussion steered today as well, is how the technical discussions are going to address gender disparities in Nigeria.

“ There is an opportunity to undertake a deeper action at the state level to better address the disproportionate burden of poverty.

“Also on the climate impact on women and girls, and to more effectively direct resources and design programmes to address this.”

Christoff, represented by Djifa Ahado, said the Canadian government would continue to partner and support Nigeria in its development priorities, including those related to sustainable economic growth, health, and political participation.

According to him, as we look at our support in 2022-2023, we can see that Nigeria is now the second largest recipient of Canadian international assistance with funding of 277 million Canadian dollars.

Clare Henshaw, National Programme Specialist, UNDP, who spoke earlier on the progress of the MPI, said one of the next steps was to constitute an MPI Joint Basket Fund.

Henshaw said the MPI brought hope that poverty could be eradicated adding that it could only be achieved by collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.

She said poverty in Nigeria could end by strengthening the country’s social protection, adding that it was important to strengthen the social protection around women to achieve significant results.

“ A key element of the MPI report was gender analysis for selected indicators, therefore gender analysis should constitute a core element of the MPI policy implementation and updates going forward.”

She said another way to reduce poverty was to ensure the National Social Register (NSR) was dynamic to capture everyone ensuring “no one is left behind.”

Henshaw said the MPI should be mainstreamed into the NSR for the identification of the poorest households, adding that the NSR should become a living document. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Economy/Business

Nigeria’s inflation rate hits 33.69% in April- NBS

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 33.69 per cent in April 2024.

The NBS said this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for April, which was released in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the report, the figure is 0.49 per cent points higher compared to the 33.20 per cent recorded in March 2024.

It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in April 2024 was 11.47 per cent higher than the rate recorded in April 2023 at 22.22 per cent.

In addition, the report said, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in April 2024 was 2.29 per cent, which was 0.73 per cent lower than the rate recorded in March 2024 at 3.02 per cent.

“This means that in April 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in March 2024.”

The report said the increase in the headline index for April 2024 on a year-on-year basis 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, and transport.

Others were furnishings, household equipment and maintenance, education, health, miscellaneous goods and services, restaurants and hotels, alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola, recreation and culture, and communication.

It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending April 2024 over the average of the CPI for the previous corresponding 12-month period was 28.10 per cent.

“This indicates a 7.28 per cent increase compared to 20.82 per cent recorded in April 2023.”

The report said the food inflation rate in April 2024 increased to 40. 53 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.92 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in April 2023 at 24.61 per cent.

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis is caused by increases in prices of Garri, Millet, Akpu Uncooked Fermented (which are under the Bread and Cereals class), Yam Tuber, and Water Yam, CocoYam

“Others are Dried Fish Sadine, Dried Catfish, Mudfish Dried, Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil, Coconut Oil , Beef Feet, Beef Head, Liver, Frozen Chicken.

“Others are Mango, Banana, Grapefruit, Coconut, Water Melon, Lipton Tea, Bournvita, and Milo.”

It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in April was 2.50 per cent, which was a 1.11 per cent decreaese compared to the rate recorded in March 2024 at 3.62 per cent.

“The fall in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a decrease in the average prices of Guinea corn flour, Plantain Flour etc (under Bread and Cereals class); Yam, Water Yam, Irish Potato, and CocoYam.

“Others are Beer, Loacl Beer, Milo, Bournvita, Nescafe, Groundnut oil, Palm oil, egg, fresh milk, powdered milk, Tin Milk, Soft drinks, wine and fruits. ”

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 26.84 per cent in April on a year-on-year basis.

“This increased by 6.87 per cent compared to 19.96 per cent recorded in April 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 Actual and Imputed Rentals for Housing, Journey by motorcycle, Bus Journey within a city, Consultation Fee of a medical doctor, X-ray photography among others.

The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.20 per cent in April 2024.

“This indicates a 0.24 per cent decrease compared to what was recorded in March 2024 at 2.54 per cent.”

“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 22.84 per cent for the 12 months ending April 2024, this was 5.15 per cent points higher than the 17.70 per cent recorded in April 2023.”

The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2024, the urban inflation rate was 36 per cent, which was 12.61 per cent higher compared to the 23.39 per cent recorded in April 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the uban inflation rate was 2.67 per cent, which decreased by 0.50 per cent compared to March 2024 at 3.17 per cent.’’

The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2024, the rural inflation rate was 31.64 per cent, which was 10.50 per cent higher compared to the 21.14 per cent recorded in April 2023.

“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 1.92 per cent, which decreased by 0.95 per cent compared to March 2024 at per cent.’’

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in April that all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 40.84 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 39.91 per cent, and Oyo at 38.37 per cent.

It, however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Borno at 26.09 per cent, followed by Benue at 27.53 per cent, and Taraba at 28.69 per cent.

The report, however, said in April 2024, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Lagos at 4.52 per cent, followed by Ondo at 3.35 per cent, and Edo at 3.27 per cent.

“Kano at 0.30 per cent, followed by Ebonyi at 0.97 per cent and Adamawa at 1.27 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 Kogi at 48.62 per cent, followed by Kwara at 46.73 per cent, and Ondo at 45.88 per cent.

“Adamawa at 33.61 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 33.85 per cent and Nasarawa at 34.03 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 Lagos at 4.74 per cent, followed by Edo at 4.06 per cent, and Yobe at 3.99 per cent.

“While Kano at 0.47 per cent, followed by Adamawa at 0.98per cent and Zamfara at 1.50 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Economy/Business

NBS to produce data using Artificial Intelligence

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) says it plans to produce crowd-sourced data on food prices using Artificial Intelligence.

Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, NBS, said this at the 1st Bi-Annual Meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics(NCCS),2024 in Keffi on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the three-day meeting has the theme “Understanding Big Data and Data Science: A New Perspective to Data Analysis and Dissemination.”

“Before the end of the year, we will commence the process of producing and publishing weekly crowd-sourced data on food prices using artificial intelligence and crowdsourcing methods for six pilot states in Nigeria.

“This will serve as an additional source of food price statistics to the conventional monthly Consumer Price Index(CPI) and Cost of Healthy Diet reports published by NBS,” he said.

Adeniran commended the Statistician-General of Kaduna State and the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics for their stride in adopting big data and data science.

“I understand that they already have a Data Science Campus which is already operational.

“This serves as a veritable model for other State Statistical Bureaus or agencies, even as you work hard to develop your conventional statistical operations in your respective states,” he said.

He said the NBS would continue to guide and lead by ensuring the necessary framework for utilising technology to explore the full potential of big data and data science for official statistics.

Adeniran said the NBS was collaborating with the Office of National Statistics in the UK and the African Development Bank(AfDB) to establish Data Innovation Lab and the GIS Lab.

“All these efforts align perfectly with the vision of the NBS and with our aspirations under the new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics( NSDS) 2024 – 2028.

“The NSDS 2024-2028 was validated in April by stakeholders of the system which is to build a robust national statistical system.

“A system well equipped to provide more accurate data and respond to the ever-evolving socioeconomic and data landscape.

“By embracing these initiatives, we are laying a solid foundation for a more resilient statistical system that can effectively meet the dynamic needs of our society and drive informed decision-making across all sectors,” he said.

He said the benefits and potential of big data and data science were limitless, saying however, that harnessing them came with some sets of challenges.

“First, we must invest heavily and sustainably in the necessary infrastructure to effectively collect, store, manage, analyse, and disseminate this vast amount of information available within the system.

“We must also develop a statistical system that is awash with personnel skilled in data science, statistics, and data engineering, and this should be done sustainably and efficiently, across all levels of federal, state, and local government.

“Furthermore, we must ensure responsible data governance that addresses privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and data security, particularly for personal details contained in these records.

The NBS boss said the committee needed to also go further and begin to champion data literacy by raising public awareness about the importance of data in a data-driven world,” he said.
He added:

“This will be done by engaging more with our users and other actors within the expanded statistical system.

“By embracing big data and data science, we can unlock a new perspective for data analysis, and dissemination in Nigeria.

“This will, in turn, affect the way and manner in which policy-making is done for the good of our citizens.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Economy/Business

Children in child labour stood at 39.2% in 2022- NBS

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says that 24,673,485 children, accounting for 39.2 per cent of all children aged five to 17 years old in Nigeria are in child labour.

The NBS said this in its Nigeria Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Report for 2022, which was released in Abuja on Thursday.

The Bureau said child labour referred to the work for which children are either too young or that may be physically or psychologically injurious to their health and wellbeing.

The report said 31,756,302 children, accounting for 50.5 per cent of all children aged five to 17 years old in Nigeria were engaged in economic activities.

It said 14,390,353 children accounting for 22.9 per cent of children were involved in hazardous work.

The NBS said the North-West zone had the highest number of children in child labour at 6,407,102 and in hazardous work at 3,266,728.

“However, in terms of the percentage of children in child labour and hazardous work, the South-East region has the highest prevalence of children involved in child labour at 49.9 per cent.”

The report showed that in the five to 14 age group, 77.6 per cent of children attended school, 46.5 per cent were working and 11.2 per cent were exclusively working.

“Children in urban areas are substantially less likely to be working only and more likely to attend school only than their rural counterparts. There are few differences between boys and girls.”

It said in the 15-17 age group, more than two-thirds of children were working and 21.9 per cent were exclusively working.

“Children living in rural areas are 12 percentage points more likely to be working and 17 percentage points less likely to attend school than children living in urban areas.”

Data from Nigeria Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Report for 2022

The report said children from households with more educated household heads were less likely to be in child labour.

It showed that 43.2 per cent of children from households where the head had reached primary or lower education were in child labour.

“Whereas only 28.4 per cent of children from households where the head has a tertiary education are in child labour.”

The report said children from female-headed households were more likely to be in child labour than children living in male-headed households.

“About 42.5 per cent of children from female-headed households are in child labour compared to 38.7 per cent of children from male-headed households,” the NBS said. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Food Security

Food prices rise in January- NBS

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beef, rice, beans, onion, tomato, and other food items increased in January.

It said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for January 2024, released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef increased by 37.08 per cent from N2,418.91 recorded in January of 2023 to N3,315.78 in January 2024

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of boneless beef increased by 5. 37 per cent in January from the N3,146.94 recorded in December 2023,’’ the report said.

It said that the average price of 1kg of local rice increased by 98.47 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N514.83 recorded in January 2023 to N1,021.79 in January 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of local rice increased by 11.31 per cent from the N917.93 recorded in December 2023.”

It said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 64.42 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N593.96 in January 2023 to N976.58 in January 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 12.16 per cent from the N870.67 recorded in December 2023 to N976.58 in January 2024.’’

The NBS said the average price of 1kg of onion bulb rose by 97.38 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N446.44 in January 2023 to N881.20 in January 2024.

“However, on a month-on-month basis, the price decreased by 9.33 per cent from N971.86 recorded in December 2023.’’

The report said that the average price of 1kg of tomato increased by 80.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N467.04 in January 2023 to N845.26 in January 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomato increased by 3.82 per cent from N814.16 in December 2023 to N845.26 in January 2024.”

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in January 2024,the highest average price of 1kg of boneless beef was recorded in Abuja at N4,000, while the lowest price was recorded in Gombe at N2,639.

It said that Abuja recorded the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,350, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N800.64

The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Akwa Ibom at N1,466.67, while the lowest price was recorded in Adamawa at N677.23.

It said the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb was recorded in Rivers at N1,454.09 while the lowest was recorded in Zamfara at N435.71.

According to the report, Delta recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomato at N1,474.79 while Kano recorded the lowest price at N422.7.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef was highest in the South-East at N3,761.32, followed by the South-West at N3,608.76.

“The lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N2,854,86.”

The North-Central and South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,083.36 and N1067.39 respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-East at N941.57.

The report said that the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at NN1,296.66, followed by the South-East at N1,088.18 , while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N729.95.

It said that the South-South and South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N1,331.74 and N1,024.89, respectively, while the lowest was recorded in the North-West at N525.60.

The NBS said also that the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of Tomato at N1,321.47, followed by the South-West at NN1,029.25.

“The North-West recorded the lowest price of 1kg of tomato at N490.94,’’ the NBS said . (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Economy/Business

NBS, GAIN unveil cost of healthy diet indicator report

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have unveiled the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) Indicator Report in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CoHD was unveiled at a joint Media Briefing on Wednesday, as stakeholders called for collaboration to achieve a healthy diet for Nigerians.

NAN reports that the CoHD is the least expensive combination of locally available items that meet globally consistent food-based dietary guidelines, used as a measure of physical and economic access to healthy diets.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, said the significance of the inauguration was particularly pronounced in its contribution to food security and the decision-making processes related to food systems.

“This event underscores our dedication to providing information that not only guides strategic actions but also directly influences critical aspects of our nation’s development.

“Until now, traditionally available food security indicators did not adequately capture economic access to nutritious foods in alignment with the core principles of food security.

” The introduction of CoHD indicators fills this gap by reflecting both physical and economic access to a healthy diet.

“This indicator provides evidence of economic access to the most economically viable healthy diet within a given country, utilising locally available foods to meet nutritional requirements.”

Adeniran said tracking and monitoring the cost of a healthy diet offered valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and organisations to discern patterns, assess disparities, and implement targeted interventions that address the root causes of food insecurity.

He said the comprehensive approach contributed to the global fight against hunger and malnutrition by promoting the affordability and availability of nutritious foods.

Adeniran said for the statistical system, the indicator would be a very useful tool to achieve Nigeria’s commitment to tackling food insecurity as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, particularly Goal two.

“Goal two seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

“Furthermore, production of this indicator is in tandem with the present government’s eight-point Agenda, one of which is to boost agriculture to achieve food security.

“Information from this exercise will provide a useful basis for the government to track its efforts and programmes toward attaining this aspect of its eight-point Agenda.”

He said efforts to address global food insecurity required a comprehensive approach and collaboration among governments, private sector operators, and development partners.

“This collaboration will help to implement effective strategies that not only respond to immediate hunger but also foster long-term food resilience and security. ”

The Country-Director, GAIN, Dr Micheal Ojo, said data on food prices for nutrition was critical because it laid the groundwork for targeted interventions that would have tangible impact on the lives of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.

Ojo said the data will help to identify supply challenges in specific foods or food groups, as well as the causes of poor diet quality, such as high prices and insufficient incomes.

He said this would provide policymakers and other stakeholders with actionable insights for targeted interventions.

Ojo said the CoHD indicator was one of the indicators featured in the Nigerian Sub-National Food Systems Dashboard.

“The Food Systems Dashboard is a comprehensive state-level dashboard that helps us to describe and diagnose deficiencies and issues with our food system.

”As well as provide inputs for decisions required for ensuring the viability of nutrition-sensitive food systems in each state and the FCT.”

According to him, GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation inauguratec at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition.

“Consequently, we are committed to supporting national efforts, such as this groundbreaking initiative by the NBS to enhance and monitor food systems transformation.

“We are proud to have achieved this feat in collaboration with other partners, specifically Tuffs University and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). ”

Mrs Sugra Mahmood, the Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said achieving a healthy diet needed a multi-sectoral approach.

“May our collective effort under the leadership of our visionary President,  the dedication of our ministers and the proactive initiatives of our first ladies charge the course forward.

“Forward into a future where every citizen can enjoy the benefits of a nutritious diet and our nation thrives in good health and prosperity,” she said.

Dr Sanjo Faniran, the Director, Social Development, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, said the CoHD was critical to achieving the food system transformation pathway in Nigeria.

Faniran said achieving a healthy diet in Nigeria calls for collaboration by all relevant stakeholders because the issue of a healthy diet does not belong to a particular sector.

He said emphasis must be made on the establishment of food estates in all the states of the federation, which would provide adequate supply and processing of food to achieve a healthy diet.

“These food estates will provide the opportunity for youths to engage in farming and for Micro-processors to come within these estates to process little food items which will be affordable. ” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

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