The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistics Department on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) as part of efforts to deepen collaboration on data-driven agricultural policy development.
The CBN delegation was led by Malam Abubakar Inuwa, a Deputy Director in the department, while the NAERLS team was received on behalf of the Executive Director by Professor M. M. Jaliya, Deputy Director of the institution.
The meeting commenced with a detailed presentation on NAERLS’ mandate and its strategic approaches to reaching farmers across Nigeria. The presentation, delivered by Professor Jaliya, highlighted the organization’s nationwide extension services and its role in generating agricultural data. Contributions were also made by other members of the NAERLS management team in attendance.
Speaking during the session, Malam Inuwa emphasised that the CBN, under its current leadership, is repositioning its policy implementation strategies to be more evidence-based. He noted that the Bank is increasingly focused on building a robust implementation framework supported by reliable data.
“The Bank now has an implementation framework,” he stated, adding that the CBN is actively seeking credible data to better understand risks across the agricultural value chain.
He further explained that the CBN is particularly interested in gathering detailed information on specific agricultural sectors targeted for intervention. As part of this effort, he appealed to NAERLS to provide access to data generated through its Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) reports. Inuwa also assured NAERLS of the Bank’s willingness to reciprocate by sharing relevant datasets and information that could support research and planning.
In his response, Professor Jaliya welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening institutional collaboration and improving the quality of agricultural data in Nigeria. He expressed NAERLS’ readiness to work closely with the CBN in facilitating data exchange for improved policy outcomes.
At the close of the meeting, Professor Tunji Iyiola, Assistant Director in charge of Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at NAERLS, was appointed as the contact person. He will coordinate the exchange of data and information between both institutions to support effective policy implementation.
The visit underscores a growing emphasis on inter-agency collaboration and the use of data analytics in addressing challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
For more information about NAERLS and its services, visit www.naerls.gov.ng or contact the NAERLS headquarters in Zaria and its zonal offices nationwide.
Public Relations, Protocols, and Advancement Unit
NAERLS, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
