The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have launched a joint initiative to improve data collection, management, and use for the benefit of Nigerians. The partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by the Statistician‑General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and his team to INEC headquarters in Abuja on 9 September 2025.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu highlighted the meeting’s importance, describing it as a crucial step toward leveraging institutional strengths for national development. He noted that while NBS oversees the country’s largest official database covering various aspects of national life, INEC maintains an extensive, legally protected database of adult citizens for electoral purposes, in compliance with the National Data Protection Act. The discussion focused on how NBS could use INEC’s network of electoral service locations to benefit citizens beyond elections.
Prof. Yakubu affirmed INEC’s willingness to partner with national agencies within legal bounds while preserving its independence. He cited INEC’s support during the COVID‑19 pandemic—when the commission deployed vehicles for infection prevention and surveillance—as an example of such cooperation. He also urged NBS to include the condition of public facilities used as polling units and ward collation centers in its national reports, especially regarding electricity, water, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Stakeholders were encouraged to explore INEC’s Atlas of Electoral Constituencies and the Electoral Facilities Locator (EFLoc) as reliable tools for mapping electoral infrastructure nationwide.
The Statistician‑General praised INEC’s diligence and transparency in managing Nigeria’s electoral process and emphasized the critical role of statistics in governance. He outlined ongoing efforts to harmonize methodologies across agencies to avoid duplication and ensure data credibility. NBS is developing an Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISATS) to enable real‑time data sharing with partner institutions, a capability that will be extended to INEC.
Overall, the collaboration aims to build a stronger data ecosystem for democracy and development in Nigeria. Both agencies have pledged to sustain the partnership in line with their respective mandates, sharing a commitment to promote national development through enhanced data collection and management. This partnership is expected to positively impact the country’s electoral process and overall governance.
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