ACReSAL, NBS Sign MOU for Nigeria’s Largest Agricultural Survey on 50×2030 Initiative

In an innovative move to bridge Nigeria’s agricultural data gap, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project have formed a strategic alliance. This partnership aims to conduct the largest agricultural survey in Nigeria on the 50×2030 initiative.

The 50×2030 Initiative is a multi-agency partnership that seeks to transform agricultural data systems in 50 countries by 2030, focusing on building strong, sustainable data systems for high-quality, timely agricultural data, and promoting data-smart agriculture.

Nigeria is participating in the initiative under the ACReSAL Project, aiming to improve the country’s ability to gather reliable agricultural data, ensuring food security for Nigerians.

Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the NBS, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that the gathering was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NBS and ACReSAL. This MOU aims to implement a large-scale agricultural survey in Nigeria, focusing on adapting agricultural practices to climate change.

Prince Adeyemi noted climate change significantly affects agricultural production, a crucial sector for Nigeria’s economic growth and employment. The partnership between the NBS and ACReSAL seeks to bridge the data gap on climate change impacts in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The agricultural survey component will measure these impacts and provide essential data for planning.

Speaking further, he disclosed that the resulting dataset will inform decision-making and drive development. He commended the National Project Coordinator for his dedication to a sustainable environment, highlighting the positive impacts of ACReSAL across the country.

Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the 2025 50X2030 Agriculture Survey.

According to Umar, this comprehensive survey will cover all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Notably, 35,000 farming households will be interviewed, carefully selected from the 152,485 households that participated in the 2023 National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS).

The MOU represents the collective agreement of both parties for research, statistics, and data gathering to achieve the objectives of the ACReSAL 50×2030 initiative, he said.

The Nigeria 50×2030 Survey aims to fill the agricultural data gap and strengthen national data systems. The survey’s primary goal is to provide accurate and reliable data for official agricultural statistics, supporting informed decision-making and policy development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

By achieving this goal, the survey will monitor agricultural production, track progress towards national development goals, and support the implementation of projects like ACReSAL. Umar applauded the CEO of NBS for his efforts in managing the country’s data and statistical information, emphasizing the importance of data for any country’s success and development.

The 50×2030 Initiative is a critical step towards transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By providing accurate and reliable data, the initiative will enable evidence-based decision-making, driving development and growth in the sector.

As Nigeria moves forward with the survey, it is essential to recognize the significance of data in achieving sustainable development goals. The partnership between the NBS and ACReSAL demonstrates the country’s commitment to leveraging data for informed decision-making and policy development.

The success of the Nigeria 50×2030 Survey will have far-reaching implications for the country’s agricultural sector. By providing accurate and reliable data, the survey will support the development of evidence-based policies, driving growth and development in the sector.

The launch of the Nigeria 50×2030 Survey marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to transform its agricultural sector. The partnership between the NBS and ACReSAL demonstrates the importance of collaboration and data-driven decision-making in achieving sustainable development goals.

ACReSAL…greening the environment, saving lives