Federal Lawmakers Move to Overhaul National Statistical Framework to Boost Economy

The National Assembly has commenced public consultations on a comprehensive new bill aimed at completely restructuring the country’s statistical framework, a move officials say is vital for driving national growth and achieving a $1 trillion economy.

The proposed legislation, titled the **Statistics Bill, 2025**, seeks to repeal the outdated Statistics Act of 2007. The new legal framework is designed to strengthen the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), modernize data governance, secure sustainable funding, and integrate the country’s data collection systems with modern digital realities.

Modernizing Data for a Digital Age

Speaking at the public hearing in Abuja on Monday, leadership from the House of Representatives emphasized that effective national planning is impossible without accurate, modern information. Officials noted that the existing 2007 law was built for an entirely different era, leaving the country ill-equipped to handle modern advancements like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data analytics.

Key objectives of the Statistics Bill, 2025 include:

Enhanced Agency Coordination:Streamlining data-producing government bodies to eliminate conflicting data and reduce survey fatigue among citizens and businesses.

Technological Integration: Formalizing the use of digital data collection, geospatial information, and machine learning.

Sustainable Funding: Establishing a reliable financial structure to ensure the NBS can operate independently and efficiently.

* **Global Credibility:** Building a robust statistical system that inspires trust among international investors and development institutions.

Broad Support for Statistical Reform

The National Bureau of Statistics has strongly endorsed the proposed legislative changes. Bureau leadership highlighted that while the 2007 Act supported the country for nearly two decades, rapid shifts in how global data is managed require an immediate structural upgrade.

According to officials, the bill consists of eight parts and 42 clauses covering governance, institutional development, data confidentiality, and administrative efficiency.

The public hearing, organized by the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, brought together representatives from various ministries, academic researchers, private sector leaders, and civil society groups. Lawmakers have urged all participating stakeholders to rigorously review the bill to ensure the final legislation is both robust and forward-looking.

If passed, this will mark the most significant reform to the nation’s data governance architecture in nearly twenty years.