A report from the Nigeria Agribusiness Data and Investment Hub (NADIH) indicates that while the Nigerian government holds 70 percent of the nation’s agricultural data, most of it is too old to be useful for stakeholders. This assessment was shared during the Nigeria Agribusiness Data and Investment Forum in Lagos, where experts highlighted that institutional fragmentation prevents the creation of high-quality, actionable insights.
Research shows that 56 percent of data collection barriers stem from a lack of sufficient funding and personnel. Prof. Olayinka David-West of the Lagos Business School noted that investors often cannot access current information regarding infrastructure, as existing records are frequently over a decade old. While some argue that resources are the primary issue, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, suggested that the informal nature of the sector and a lack of trust are the true culprits. Many traders withhold accurate information due to fears of government interference or taxation.
Dr. Adeniji Adedeji from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development highlighted that the ministry is working toward a $74 billion livestock GDP contribution target over the next decade. However, efforts are hindered by unreliable data from state veterinary departments, where staff shortages and reporting biases persist. Other experts, including Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics head Dr. Baba Bukar, advocated for the use of modern technology like satellite imagery to improve data gathering at the state level. The Nigerian Agribusiness Group is also pushing to replace foreign-sourced statistics with local market data to better support domestic investment.