Public Trust in NBS Wanes as Nigerians Question Accuracy of Official Data on Inflation, Employment, and Crime
Story written by myra chinonso (July 27, 2025)
Nigerians Express Growing Distrust in National Bureau of Statistics Data Amid Economic Hardship
In a country where accurate statistics should guide policy decisions and drive national development, Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is facing growing public skepticism over the credibility of its data.
Once regarded as a reliable institution, the NBS is now under intense scrutiny as many Nigerians question the validity of its reports—particularly on inflation, employment, and crime. Citizens argue that the numbers no longer reflect the harsh economic conditions they face daily, including skyrocketing food prices and high unemployment.
Inflation Data Sparks Public Outrage
The controversy intensified after the NBS implemented a rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in early 2025. The agency reported a dramatic drop in the inflation rate—from 34.80% in December 2024 to 24.48% in January 2025—citing statistical recalibration as the reason for the decline.
However, to the average Nigerian grappling with daily price hikes for staple items like rice, garri, and cooking gas, the data seemed disconnected from reality.
Economists, too, have voiced concerns. Simon Samson, a senior Economics lecturer at Baze University and chief economist at ARKK Economics and Data Limited, noted that the public often misinterprets inflation data.
“Inflation dropping from 25% to 22% doesn’t mean prices are falling. It simply means prices are still rising, just at a slower rate,” he explained. “But beyond technicalities, the NBS must protect its credibility. Once trust is lost, even accurate data will be doubted.”
Disputed Crime Statistics Deepen Credibility Crisis
Public confidence took another major hit in late 2024 after the release of the NBS’s Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS). The report claimed that between May 2023 and April 2024, 614,937 Nigerians were killed and more than 2.2 million were kidnapped.
The figures were met with disbelief and backlash from both experts and the public.
Security analyst Bulama Bukarti rejected the findings, labeling the numbers “grossly exaggerated.” “These statistics suggest over 1,700 deaths and more than 6,200 kidnappings daily. That’s simply not realistic and does not align with other verified security data,” he said.
The aftermath of the controversy saw the NBS website go offline and the report quietly withdrawn without any formal clarification. The silence only deepened suspicions, with many interpreting the disappearance as an attempt to cover up flawed or politically sensitive data.
Calls for Reform and Transparency
Amid the ongoing data credibility crisis, policy analysts and stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and institutional reform at the NBS.
“The NBS must re-establish public trust by ensuring its methodologies are clear, its data verifiable, and its leadership accountable,” said one analyst. “Without credible statistics, Nigeria risks making critical decisions based on flawed assumptions.”
As Nigeria battles economic uncertainty, insecurity, and political unrest, citizens are demanding more than just numbers—they want honesty, transparency, and a national statistics agency they can trust.Written by SpringnewsNG Media Limited, July 27, 2025.
