In late 2024, there was a blackout when data on load availability from power distribution companies to end users, usually available to the public, went off. Nigerians were not told what had happened but, by that time, the country had experienced up to 10 national grid collapses and vehemently failed to reach 6,000MW generation at no point in the year, notwithstanding the population and industrialisation efforts.
Not too far from that time, Nigeria’s ultimate data source for all things economy, security, education, health, etc was hacked. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), supposedly off-government hands to enable transparency, confirmed a hack. This was the same period data on ransom payment (over ₦2 trillion) inspired by kidnapping was released – a report that grossly embarrassed the country’s government.
This motivated Nigerians to question the viability of the data. But the ‘hack’ exposed the vulnerabilities of the country’s data infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate concerns of data security, the incident also draws attention to a more pervasive issue: key government agencies’ chronic delay in data uploads.
Despite the critical role they play in shaping Nigeria’s economic and financial landscape, institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), National Population Commission (zero data on its website) often take months to upload vital data, leaving stakeholders in the dark.
Do we need the data?
Timely and accurate data is the backbone of effective governance, economic planning, and public trust in institutions. Without it, policymakers, businesses, and citizens operate in a fog of uncertainty, unable to make informed decisions.
We are in a democracy, so it’s the government’s obligation to share timely and accurate data that goes beyond policy—it is a constitutional duty.
Nigeria’s democracy, however, has been consistently marred by delays in data uploads by key government institutions. This failure undermines transparency and accountability, the bedrock of good governance, and affects civic engagement and economic progress.
Nigeria is part of international agreements on open governance – Open Government Partnership since 2016 – and has domesticated the Freedom of Information Act, underscoring the importance of open data.
Usman Alabi, a governance and policy expert, speaking on the issue says, “Citizens need data to make informed decisions, like knowing whether a government deserves their vote. It’s like hiring someone to do a job and being kept in the dark about their progress.”
In practice, Nigeria’s lack of timely and accessible data leaves citizens unable to engage meaningfully. For instance, delays in publishing population statistics (First baby birth of the year is more important than actual population), economic indices, or sector-specific reports create an information vacuum, limiting public discourse and perpetuating inefficiencies.
The curious case of NCC and NBS
If you visit the website of the NCC, for instance, October 2024 seems to be the time when everyone started their Christmas break. The Nigerian Communications Commission, which oversees one of the country’s most dynamic sectors, has its share of delays.
Reports on internet penetration or telecom infrastructure expansion are frequently late, complicating efforts to meet broadband penetration targets or attract investment in digital infrastructure.
It is even worse with one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy – digital payments.
The NIBSS’ data, on its website, stops in July 2024. So data for the last two quarters of 2024 cannot be found on the website.
The Nigeria Interbank Settlement System is crucial for monitoring financial transactions, especially in an economy increasingly driven by digital payments. Yet, transaction data reports are often delayed by months, leaving fintech companies and policymakers with incomplete information to base decisions on.
In 2023, for example, transaction volume data for the third quarter was only released well into the following year, creating a lag in understanding the sector’s growth trajectory.
For the CBN, there is a December 2024 report which includes decisions and plans for 2025, but the last economic update released was for October 2024.
The Central Bank of Nigeria plays a pivotal role in shaping monetary policy, but delays in publishing reports, such as foreign exchange reserves or inflation metrics, frequently disrupt market operations.
The above instances highlight a pattern of delayed reporting that undermines the agencies’ ability to serve their intended purpose.
The issue of delayed data uploads by key institutions is not new, but its persistence is alarming. It is almost like there’s no team whose primary function is working on those reports.
Even when data is available, it is often too complex for the average citizen to understand.
Government reforms, like the recent tax policy, fail to resonate with the populace due to poor communication. Civil society organisations like BudgIT have attempted to bridge this gap, simplifying policies into digestible formats.
“BudgIT simplifies data in ways even a roadside seller can understand. But how many places can BudgIT reach? Can it get to remote villages in Taraba or Bauchi?” Alabi asks. The government’s inability to simplify and disseminate information effectively limits its reach and impact, leaving many citizens unaware of policies that directly affect their lives
Possible causes?
The persistent delays in data uploads by government agencies stem from a combination of systemic inefficiencies, resource constraints, and bureaucratic inertia. Many government institutions operate under outdated frameworks that still prioritise manual processes over automation, slowing the pace of data collection and dissemination.
Besides that, data release in Nigeria often seems more like a favour from the government than a constitutional obligation.
Alabi notes, “It often appears that the government sees releasing data as doing citizens a favour rather than a constitutional responsibility. This mindset not only stifles transparency but also reduces public engagement.”
In many cases, political interests drive the withholding of data. Governments may fear scrutiny or protests that arise from revealing unpopular truths. Without data, citizens remain unaware of government inefficiencies or corruption, allowing the cycle of poor governance to continue unchallenged. Alabi elaborates,
Not releasing data could be political. Because when data is released, people are going to ask questions.
This lack of transparency also hinders civil society’s ability to mobilise citizens. Protest movements, for example, are often misdirected due to the absence of reliable information, reducing their impact and perpetuating misinformation.
There is also the case of underfunding.
For context, Nigeria’s Senate approved the NCC budget of ₦549.6 billion for 2024 fiscal year, and ₦17 billion for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
Out of that, the NCC allocated ₦155 billion for recurrent expenditure, including salaries, spectrum and regulatory expenses, and professional fees, while ₦18 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure. Notably, ₦66.7 billion was set aside for special intervention projects, and ₦332.8 billion was slated for transfer to the federal government.
With only ₦18 billion allocated for capital projects, it appears that modernising infrastructure—critical for addressing issues like real-time data collection and reporting—is not a top priority. This is concerning, given the reliance on outdated systems and the growing demand for efficient telecom services.
Leadership and political dynamics also play a significant role. Agencies often operate with limited accountability, allowing delays to go unchecked. In some cases, political interference discourages the timely release of sensitive data, particularly when such information might expose governance failures or contradict official narratives.
The impact of delayed data on transparency and governance
Delayed data uploads disrupt economic planning and decision-making. When financial institutions or businesses don’t have timely access to transaction or policy data, they operate with blind spots that can lead to poor decision-making.
For instance, the lack of up-to-date NIBSS data hinders fintech companies’ ability to assess market trends, potentially stalling vast innovation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. In other words, they most likely use data besides what NIBSS provides.
Private organisations are beginning to circumvent this challenge by developing their data systems. Banks now gather their statistics to guide operations, further sidelining the role of government agencies. According to Alabi:
When private bodies develop alternatives to gather data, reliance on government reduces, and so does accountability. People stop asking questions.
This shift creates a fragmented system where data is either inaccessible or uncoordinated, further alienating the government from its role as the primary custodian of information.
Policymakers rely on current data to shape effective interventions; when they decide to. In the absence of updated statistics, policies often miss their targets or become obsolete before implementation. For example, delayed NCC telecom reports can derail plans to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, affecting millions who lack internet access.

Besides that, when government agencies fail to provide timely and transparent data, public trust erodes. Nigerians, already sceptical of public institutions, are left questioning the credibility of even the data that does get published. The NBS hack further exposed systemic vulnerabilities, raising doubts about the security and integrity of government-managed information.
Beyond governance, the failure to provide data affects private investors who depend on credible information to make decisions. Often, they turn to international organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) or the World Bank for data on Nigeria, which presents its risks.
Many investors rely on international organisations for information about Nigeria because local agencies fail to provide it. This reliance is risky, as inaccurate or outdated data can lead to poor investment decisions.
Usman Alabi
For example, understanding Nigeria’s population dynamics is critical for investment planning. However, the National Population Commission lacks a comprehensive and accessible database, forcing investors to seek alternative sources. This inefficiency not only reduces trust in local agencies but also places Nigeria at a disadvantage in global investment conversations.
On the international stage, delays in publishing critical economic or sectoral data tarnish Nigeria’s image as an emerging market. Foreign investors often view such delays as a red flag, signalling instability or inefficiency in governance.


The way forward
This is 2025, and Nigeria needs to move forward in data management. The world is already far ahead knowing the indispensability of data in growing an economy. Investing in modern, secure data systems is no longer optional. The data gaps must be closed to ensure uninterrupted and secure access to critical information.
Government agencies should adhere to live and fast timelines for data uploads, with penalties for non-compliance. Countries like South Africa and India have implemented such frameworks successfully, ensuring data transparency in governance.
Government agencies should not only release data but also ensure it is timely, accurate, and simplified for public understanding. Alabi concludes:
It is not their data. It is data about a commonwealth that belongs to everybody. People need to know what their government is doing.
Usman Alabi