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Nigeria to Launch National Data Portal to End Reliance on World Bank Figures
By Kabir ABDULSALAM
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a national economic data portal aimed at making Nigeria the primary source of its own official statistics instead of relying on international institutions for information about the country’s economy.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiative is part of broader reforms to improve transparency, accountability and evidence-based policymaking.
He disclosed the plan on the second day of the 7th African Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja, where government officials and economic experts deliberated on strategies for strengthening Africa’s resilience amid global economic uncertainties.
According to the minister, the proposed portal will provide credible, timely and publicly accessible data on Nigeria’s economy, enabling policymakers, investors, researchers and development partners to access reliable information directly from government sources.
“We’re building a new portal for the Ministry of Finance. When people are looking for data about Nigeria, we no longer want them to be referencing the World Bank about Nigeria’s data,” Oyedele said.
“We will own our data. The data will be credible, accessible and timely.”
He said the initiative forms part of a broader institutional reform agenda designed to improve governance and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s economic management.
Oyedele explained that the Ministry of Finance is introducing a new operational framework known as DMA to guide policy implementation and public service delivery.
He expressed confidence that improving the quality and accessibility of official economic data would strengthen investor confidence, enhance policy coordination and support Nigeria’s long-term economic planning.
According to Oyedele, the reforms underscore the Federal Government’s determination to build stronger institutions capable of supporting sustainable growth and improving public confidence in economic governance.
