The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is currently training the 2022-2023 set of Enumerators for Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS).
Speaking at the training centre in Ibadan, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said, expectations and public anticipation for the survey were high therefore, urged the enumerators to deliver a quality job.
He explained that expectations were high because, it was one of the indicators commonly used to assess government performance and the impact of its policies and programmes on the lives of the citizens.
“The reporting of poverty and welfare statistics by default can be a very sensitive and delicate issue. This is because it is one of the indicators commonly used to assess government performance and the impact of its policies and programmes on the lives of the citizens, so this survey is one that is widely anticipated. More so, now that we are in an election season, where the results would be used to score political points.
“Though we do not expect the results of this survey in time for the election, that does not by any means reduce the anticipation or expectations from the exercise. So, you must dedicate yourselves to this training and commit to delivering the quality work I know you can produce”, he said.
The NBS boss disclosed that the Bureau was working with colleagues from the World Bank to deploy international best practice in the conduct of the exercise. “This includes all aspects of the survey, particularly in the collection, monitoring and processing of the data”, he said.
Prince Adeniran said that significant improvements had been made to the questionnaire for this round, with the addition of new modules and the removal of the community questionnaire from the last round, which has made for a more streamlined instrument.
He listed some of the new additions to include: modules on Remittances, Migration and Absentee Household members, Migration Aspiration, Social Cohesion, Petrol Subsidy, and also Subjective wellbeing.
He said, as part of efforts to modernize and ensure data quality of the highest level possible, the survey would be administered electronically using the Computer Assisted Personnel Interviewing (CAPI) Devices.
“The adoption of the CAPI device will improve data collection by making it faster, eliminate human errors such as unwanted entry, increase quality control, reduce cost of questionnaire printing, and boost the timely production of the results.
“We will also be mounting several layers of monitoring checks to ensure data collection is conducted in line with laid down procedures. Let me state categorically that irrespective of how you got nominated for this exercise, anyone identified not to be adhering to the protocols of the work will be replaced, as we cannot afford to compromise on the quality of this survey, especially after the huge investment and resources that have gone into the preparations and planning for the exercise”, he added.
