NBS Conducts Time Use Survey to Discover How Nigerians Spend Their Time

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is developing a data collection tool called "Time Use Survey" that would reveal (in real-time) how Nigerians organize their time and the activities they participate in throughout the day. 

The survey is designed to give critical data that will allow the government, policymakers, and development practitioners to make informed choices and devise successful policies to satisfy residents' needs and aspirations.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, statistician-general of the federation/CEO of NBS, said the survey will provide information on how individuals spend their time between paid and unpaid work, including unpaid domestic and care work activities, study, personal care, family tasks, and leisure activities.

The projected survey would last 12 months and would cost around N1.2 billion.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Women's national representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, further said that the planned survey would enable Nigeria to drive policies that promote gender equality and empowerment, decrease feminization of poverty, and contribute to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The survey will be meant to provide insight into people's socioeconomic and demographic status by emphasizing time allocation patterns for different daily activities.

Other speakers at the event, including World Bank and UNICEF representatives, stated that the proposed Time Use Survey in Nigeria will provide critical data to support the Nigerian government's efforts to expand social protection programs and interventions for women and children, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

Factors like a lack of employment development in formal industries, prevalent societal norms, gender discrepancies in education and skill acquisition, and restricted safety and decision-making chances, according to Eyong, all contribute to women's low labor-force participation.

Earlier, Mr. Musa Mohammed, NBS director of demographics and household statistics, said that the success of the Time Use Survey is dependent on teamwork, open conversation, and a common commitment to its aims.