The Nigerian Marketing Research Association (NIMRA) has announced plans to offer private sector-driven economic data as an alternative to support decision-making, following the hacking of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) website. The NBS website has been inaccessible since December 18, 2024, disrupting access to vital economic data.
NIMRA’s Response to the Hack
NIMRA President, Seyi Adeoye, emphasized the importance of private sector participation in providing reliable data alongside the NBS. Speaking to Saturday PUNCH in a telephone interview, Adeoye condemned the hack while highlighting its implications for the country’s economic planning.
“This just shows the importance of private practitioners within the data analytics space stepping up and collaborating with NBS and global organizations like the World Bank to ensure reliable data availability,” Adeoye said.
He acknowledged that the NBS website hack underscored the urgency of establishing alternative data sources, stating, “What happened with NBS brought it to the fore that this cannot continue. It’s not ideal. We need to change that. NIMRA is committed to rolling out studies and putting reliable data into the public domain for businesses and government.”
Planned Initiatives
At its 2024 Annual General Meeting, NIMRA announced its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic development by championing reliable data and market insights. Key initiatives include:
- Household Expenditure Data: Developing comprehensive surveys to complement existing data.
- Socioeconomic Classification Studies: Providing detailed socioeconomic classifications to inform national planning.
- Collaboration with NBS: Partnering with the government agency and private practitioners to co-create robust datasets.
Adeoye noted that the presence of multiple large-scale local data-gathering organizations would improve data comparison and analysis, much like the comparative models used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Addressing Cybersecurity Challenges
Adeoye stressed the importance of investing in robust cybersecurity measures to protect vital national assets like the NBS website. He noted that cyberattacks are a global phenomenon, citing instances like the U.S. Treasury’s reported data breach.
“For critical assets like NBS, we must deploy the highest standard of cybersecurity to protect against attacks. If human beings can create it, it means hackers can dismantle it. That’s why we must always put our best foot forward,” he stated.
NBS Assures Restoration
Meanwhile, NBS spokesperson Joel Ichedi assured the public that the website would not remain down indefinitely. While the holiday break contributed to delays, Ichedi affirmed that efforts are underway to restore the website.
“An important website like ours cannot be shut down indefinitely. The public can rest assured we are working on it, and it will soon be operational,” Ichedi said.
A New Era for Economic Data
The NIMRA initiative aims to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s economic data landscape by fostering private sector involvement and enhancing the reliability of information for businesses and policymakers. With the collaboration between NIMRA and NBS, stakeholders can look forward to more comprehensive and accessible datasets to drive informed decision-making.
