Two-thirds of households lack finance for nutritious meals – NBS survey

According to a National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey, two-thirds of Nigerian households do not have the funds to purchase wholesome food.

According to analysts, this is a clear indication of the country’s multifaceted poverty and the effects of Nigerians’ steadily declining purchasing power as a result of rising prices for goods and services.

The survey conducted  by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that there are also 6.7 power outages every week in the nation’s households.

The NBS survey is titled, “Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024).

It analyzed Nigeria’s health, education, and demographic trends by contrasting data from Wave 4 (2018–19) and Wave 5 (2023–24).

Report on food insecurity

According to the survey, report on food insecurity said: “Approximately two out of three households indicated being unable to eat healthy, nutritious or preferred foods because of lack of money in the last 30 days.

“Similarly, 63.8 per cent of households ate only a few kinds of food due to lack of money, 62.4 percent were worried about not having enough food to eat, and 60.5 percent ate less than they thought they should.

“Between Waves 4 and 5, the proportion of households that reported being worried about not having enough food to eat because of lack of money increased significantly, from 36.9 percent to 62.4 percent”, it added.

On energy access

On energy access, the report revealed that: “82.2 percent of urban households have electricity, compared to 40.4 per cent in rural areas”.

Every week, Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power outages, says the survey report.

“Nigerian households face an average of 6.7 power blackouts weekly.

“Cooking typically involves traditional three-stone stoves (65.0 percent), primarily using wood as fuel (70.2 per cent), but with use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rising significantly.

“Many households lack toilet facilities and rely on tube wells or boreholes for drinking water. Waste disposal is mostly informal, with 45.6 percent of households using bushes or streets”.

On asset ownership, the survey disclosed that: “Overall asset ownership has declined since 2018/19.

“However, two-thirds of households have mobile phones, and about 21.3 percent access the Internet.

“The survey shows that 70.4 percent of households own their homes, with rural ownership at 80.1 percent, compared to 49.1 per cent in urban areas”, it stated.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is the principal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistical data in Nigeria.

Established in 1938, the NBS plays a critical role in supporting evidence-based decision-making in the country.

Its mandate includes collecting and analyzing statistical data on the country’s socio-economic activities, providing reliable and timely statistical data for policy-making, planning, and research, and developing and maintaining a comprehensive statistical database for Nigeria.

The NBS performs several key functions to achieve its objectives

It collects data through surveys, censuses, and other data collection exercises to gather information on various sectors of the economy.

The agency then analyzes and interprets statistical data to provide insights into the country’s socio-economic trends.

Furthermore, the NBS disseminates statistical reports, bulletins, and other publications to stakeholders, ensuring that data is accessible and usable.

The agency also conducts statistical research to improve statistical methodologies and develop new statistical indicators.

The NBS publishes various reports and publications, providing valuable insights into Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.

Some notable publications include the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which provides comprehensive data on demographic and health indicators.

The National Accounts report offers insights into the country’s GDP, inflation, and other macroeconomic indicators.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report tracks inflation rates and price movements, while the Labour Force Survey provides data on employment, unemployment, and labor market trends.

The impact of the NBS cannot be overstated

By providing accurate and reliable data, the agency supports evidence-based decision-making in Nigeria.

Its data and reports inform policy decisions, research, and business investments, ultimately contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

As Nigeria continues to navigate complex development challenges, the NBS remains a vital institution, providing the data and insights needed to drive progress and prosperity.

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