The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to leverage its extensive network of locations across Nigeria for sustainable data management that will benefit citizens beyond electoral periods.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, appealed while receiving the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and senior officials of the Bureau at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu stressed that while elections occur only once every four years, INEC facilities, including polling units and collation centres across the country, can serve broader national statistical needs.
“For INEC, we have the largest database of adult citizens for elections and electoral activities in Nigeria, protected by law. Today’s meeting focuses on how NBS can leverage our network of locations to benefit citizens beyond elections,” Yakubu said.
He recalled how INEC collaborated with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 during the pandemic, noting that the Commission was always open to lawful partnerships that respect its independence.
The INEC boss further urged NBS to incorporate statistics on the state of public facilities, particularly schools hosting polling units, into its reports to the National Economic Council.
He emphasised that many of these facilities require upgrades such as electricity, water, and disability access, which would benefit both education and electoral processes.
Earlier, Adeniran explained that NBS was seeking stronger collaboration with INEC to make electoral data more accessible to citizens, particularly at the grassroots level.
“Not everybody has access to INEC’s website, but we have ways of reaching the grassroots. Working together, we can ensure ordinary citizens feel the good work INEC has done in improving transparency and data access,” he said.
He added that NBS would integrate INEC’s data into its systems, enhance accessibility through infographics, and ensure the timely dissemination of information to policymakers and the public.
Both agencies agreed to strengthen synergy to advance transparency, statistical accuracy, and democratic dividends for Nigerians.
