By Chinedu Obike
For the first time in 20 years, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is embarking on a national economic census for the enumeration of formal and informal business establishments in the country.
The Statistician General of the Federation, Mr Yemi Kale, who announced this at the Training of Trainers for the National Business Sample Census, said the exercise will last for a scheduled period of two months.
He explained that during the Census, commercial and business operations in fixed locations would be listed and relevant information collected.
He said: “The information emanating from this census activity is primarily useful in understanding the nature and structure of the economy, as well as providing a sound business frame for the conduct of economic surveys in the country”
“Conventionally, it is conducted every five years as recommended by the United Nations Statistical Commission. However, in Nigeria, the census has not been conducted for over two decades, mainly due to funding challenges-
He noted that the exercise is critical, not just to the statistical system in Nigeria, but to the economy as a whole. The census kicks off October 12.