Agricultural Statistics and Data Management for Evidence-Based Planning in Nigeria

This study examines the quality, coverage, and institutional management of agricultural statistics in Nigeria, assessing their adequacy for evidence-based agricultural planning and policy design. Reliable agricultural statistics covering production, prices, trade, land use, and farmer welfare are foundational to effective agricultural policy, investment planning, and programme monitoring. Nigeria's agricultural statistics system involves multiple agencies including the National Bureau of Statistics, NAERLS, and state ADPs, with significant coordination challenges and data quality limitations. This study uses an institutional analysis and data quality assessment methodology, reviewing agricultural data collection systems, estimation methodologies, and dissemination practices across the NBS, NAERLS, CBN, and six state ADP statistical units. Data quality is assessed using FAO AMIS quality framework dimensions covering relevance, accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility. Findings reveal significant weaknesses in agricultural production estimate accuracy, with large discrepancies between NBS estimates and FAO satellite-assisted crop area surveys. Price data collection is more robust but lacks spatial disaggregation below state level. The institutional coordination framework for agricultural statistics is fragmented, with duplication and gaps across agencies. The study concludes that Nigeria's agricultural statistics system requires fundamental reform to meet the data quality standards required for evidence-based planning. It recommends a National Agricultural Statistics Master Plan with a single coordinating authority and standardised methodologies.

Keywords: agricultural statistics, data management, evidence-based planning, Nigeria, statistical quality.