By Kexter E.A Donald Jnr.
The calculated attempt by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to cast Bola Tinubu’s government in a favourable light is a disheartening stain on the agency’s reputation, serving as a prime example of artful propaganda. Nigeria’s staggering unemployment rate, surpassing 32%, exposes the hollowness of their claim of a mere 4.1%, revealing a jarring disconnect from the ground reality.
Within the realm of statistical deception, the manipulation of employment rates stands as a prominent offender, distorting the lens through which we perceive the job market and the larger economic landscape. This distortion isn’t just a matter of numbers—it’s a distortion of truth, influencing decisions that shape the fate of nations.
Employment data manipulation unfolds through a multitude of cunning tactics, excluding the voices of marginalized communities and part-time workers, dancing around the precise classification of employment status, and turning a blind eye to underemployment and the intricacies of informal labor. These strategies, reminiscent of a magician’s sleight of hand, artificially morph employment rates, painting a rosier or grimmer picture depending on the agenda at hand.
The ramifications of such manipulation are profound. Like a rudderless ship navigating uncharted waters, policy decisions steer perilously off course, interventions miss their mark, and the public’s faith in institutions erodes under the weight of dishonesty. The collateral damage isn’t just statistical—it’s societal, economic, and deeply human.
Amidst these deceitful currents, a transparent methodology emerges as the beacon guiding us out of this labyrinth of deception. By embracing the principles of comprehensive data collection, unbiased representation of all employment categories, and a commitment to accuracy, we can begin to restore the integrity of employment statistics. These statistics aren’t mere numbers; they’re the heartbeat of a nation’s economic health.
If this is how APC and Bola Tinubu’s government want to run our economy with dubious figures, I am afraid, “there was a country”! This revelation takes us beyond numbers into the realm of governance and accountability. The misrepresentation of employment statistics becomes a symptom of a larger ailment—one that undermines the trust of citizens, distorts the democratic process, and erodes the foundation of a functioning society.
Employment statistics, when authentic, serve as a compass guiding the ship of policy towards prosperous shores. They unmask the plight of marginalized workers, shed light on the intricacies of underemployment, and empower researchers and policymakers with the truth required to forge effective strategies for change.
In this pursuit of accuracy, we unveil the mirage of manipulated employment rates and usher in a new era where the truth prevails—a truth that doesn’t just inform policies, but uplifts lives, empowers communities, and restores trust in institutions.