NBS kick-starts review, re-evaluation of labour force survey

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, yesterday, disclosed that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), had commenced a programme for the re-evaluation of outcomes of Nigerian Labour Force Survey (NLFS), aimed at ensuring it meets international best practice.

Adeniran, while addressing participants at the training workshop for the newly-enhanced Nigeria Labour Force Survey, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, underscored the essence of the training and said: “Unemployment rate, which is the main indicator emanating from the NLFS, is probably one of the most-anticipated, most-widely understood and most-relatable indicators among the people.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

He said the NLFS is a very important and significant exercise for all NBS ardent users, which include government, policy-makers, researchers and the public.

Adeniran added that while this is one of the most critical and anticipated indicators on MBS data release calendar, saying: “Any follower of activities in the Bureau will know that the last LFS report to be published was for the reference period of the fourth quarter of 2022, immediately after the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown, which produced a headline rate of 33.3 per cent.

“Since the release of that report, which as usual, was met with a rebuff from some sections of our wide array of users, and applauded by others, there became a need to re-evaluate the methodology and process deployed in conducting the LFS in Nigeria.”

He said the re-evaluation was critical to ensure that the design and methodology are in line with international best practice and locally relevant, as well as ensure that a production process was robust enough to produce estimates on a sustainable basis avoiding periodic gaps, and also, produce more labour market indicators and analysis that will inform the government about the employment and job situation in Nigeria.

He disclosed that the Bureau had designed a new approach for the conduct of the NLFS survey in Nigeria, adding: “The new approach involves a 12-month-long method of data collection, with a streamlined workforce, manageable sample size and an enhanced quality assurance mechanism built into the process.

“The outcome of the review has brought about a new addition to the instrument, capturing information on persons employed but not at work, long-term unemployment, job satisfaction, discouraged job seekers, and information on decent work, which is one the indicators of the SDG Goal 8.”

He, therefore, charged the participants to take the training seriously just as he warned that “no laxity would be tolerated from anyone.