Friday, 10 January 2025 04:35

Rebased Nigeria’s GDP to capture prostitution, illegal refinery, drug dealings, others – NBS

Rate this item
(1 Vote)

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced that Nigeria’s rebased gross domestic product (GDP) will include data on illegal economic activities such as prostitution, drug dealing, operations of illegal refineries, etc. The updated GDP figures, scheduled for release by the end of January, aim to provide a more comprehensive picture of the nation’s economy by capturing both formal and informal sectors.

Speaking during a sensitisation workshop on GDP and consumer price index (CPI) rebasing in Lagos, Moses Waniko, technical assistant to the statistician-general, explained that the exercise would reflect economic realities previously omitted from official records. “Illegal activities such as sex work and drug peddling are real contributors to income generation in society, even though they lack legal backing,” he said.

Waniko emphasized that GDP rebasing involves recalculating the economy’s size using updated prices and weights, a process critical for accurate economic planning. The year 2019 was chosen as the base year due to relative economic stability compared to the shocks experienced in 2020-2022.

Inclusion of Hidden Sectors

Aside from illegal activities, the rebasing exercise will also cover modular refineries, the digital economy, the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), domestic households employing labor, pension fund administrators, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and quarrying activities.

Waniko highlighted that these inclusions are essential for understanding the distribution and contributions of various sectors to the economy. “The size of the economy will be bigger after the rebasing,” he noted, adding that this could lead to changes in key economic indicators such as the tax-to-GDP ratio, debt-to-GDP ratio, and per-capita income.

Challenges in Measuring Illegal Activities

Baba Madhu, assistant director at the NBS, acknowledged the difficulties in capturing data on illegal economic activities. “For example, drug peddling and prostitution are illegal here, but they contribute significantly to incomes,” Madhu said. “The challenge lies in how to quantify and validate this data without legal frameworks supporting these activities.”

The NBS had previously announced plans to rebase the GDP to account for structural changes in the economy and align with international standards. The last rebasing was conducted in 2010, and moving forward, the exercise will occur every five years.

With this comprehensive rebasing, Nigeria seeks to reflect its true economic size, including contributions from previously untracked sectors. The results are expected to support better policy formulation and more accurate development planning.

April 02, 2025

Nigeria's net FX reserves increased to $23bn in 2024, highest in 3 years

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reported that Nigeria's net foreign exchange reserves (NFER)…
April 02, 2025

Natasha outsmarts Kogi govt, Police; ‘drops’ from sky to jubilant crowds

In a spectacular display of defiance, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan turned the Kogi State Government and…
March 30, 2025

Does wearing a cap make you go bald? Here’s what dermatologists want you to know about hair loss

Hair loss can be an upsetting and worrisome experience. But with a slew of wellness…
March 30, 2025

Two 'proof of heaven' stories and one 'proof of hell' that had atheist calling out…

Ole Braatelien What happens to our consciousness the moment we die? Christians believe our souls…
April 02, 2025

Ponzi schemes: New law slams 10-year jail term, N40m fine - SEC

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finally declared war on Ponzi schemes, with a…
April 02, 2025

What to know after Day 1133 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Russia says it cannot accept U.S. proposals on Ukraine 'in current form' Russia…
March 28, 2025

Bill Gates: Within 10 years, AI will replace many doctors and teachers—humans won’t be needed…

Tom Huddleston Jr. Over the next decade, advances in artificial intelligence will mean that humans…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.