The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has called on the World Bank to assist in the 2026 natural data collation.
It said the 2025 collation will not be effective without the conclusion of the forthcoming collaboration.
The Head of Department, National Accounts, Energy and Environment, National Bureau of Statistics Dr. Baba Madu, made this appeal at the Natural Capital Accounting Conference 2025 in partnership with the World Bank and the Global Program in Sustainability in Abuja, said the NBS is building a database using all the environmental indicators, components and signs backed by indicators across boards for natural accounts.
He said the NBS also compiles natural resources account, where natural resources statistics are displayed giving the public the opportunity to see the possession and it’s value for the economy at a glance.
Madu said the NBS is compiling the first green house emission account in Nigeria, including the land use statistics. “We are starting the forest account compilation soon. There is need for us to improve on what we do which is among the reasons we are spreading out to nature”.
Also, speaking, Program Leader on Sustainable Development, World Bank, Vinay Vuturu, said without a strong natural account system, Nigeria cannot measure up with other nations, adding that the Idea is to mainstream and institutionalise this document so that it becomes a priority for the Ministry of Environment and other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Vuturu added that the mainstreaming has to be sustainable so that with the withdrawal of the World Bank and its support, the program can still run smoothly without hindrances. The whole Idea behind the Natural Capital Accounting Conference 2025, is to meet two objectives which are, the natural occurrence system and developing the ecosystem account for two states.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
