Stakeholders have advocated for the proper application of statistical data in national planning and its deployment in execution of development programmes and projects.
This is even as they tasked the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) not to relent in providing accurate and reliable data that reflects realities no matter how unpalatable it may appear
They further canvassed the inclusion of the Statistician General of the Federation in attending Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings so as to advice and provide to the council with prompt socioeconomic statistical trends for efficient and accurate planning instead of guess work not backed by data.
The stakeholders canvassed this at the national stakeholders’ workshop on the production of National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) phase III (2024-2028). The two-day (31 Oct – 1 Nov, 2023) event was organised by the NBS in Abuja. It has in attendance participants drawn from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Academia, Research and Development Institutions; Organised Private Sector/Entrepreneurs; Media and Non-governmental organisations as well as development partners.
While declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Budget and Economic planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, underscored the essence of reliable NSDS as the backbone of evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and national development.
He noted that NSDS has played an instrumental role in enhancing the quality, relevance, and accessibility of statistical data in Nigeria, adding that it has also provided the necessary guidance for the systematic and coordinated development of statistical activities in the country.
On the lastest phase of the NSDS being developed, Sen. Bagudu said: “Today, as we embark on the development of the new NSDS for 2024-2028, our objectives are clear as we seek to further transform our statistical system, expanding its reach and capacities.
“The new NSDS will bridge existing gaps and challenges, setting the stage for a unified, integrated, and comprehensive data production system that accurately reflects our current realities. It is our collective endeavour to ensure that the new NSDS not only addresses the strategic issues of the past five years but also anticipates and adapts to the evolving statistical landscape.
“This phase of the NSDS, Phase III (2024-2028), has immense significance for our country as we continue our journey towards transforming the Nigerian Statistical System (NSS) to grow the national economy and society at large. The need to enhance the effectiveness of our statistical system has been of persistent concern for successive governments, and with the intervention of the NSDS, we have made significant progress in this regard.”
He expressed optimism that the statistics would play a vital role in assessing the implementation of the Federal Government’s 8-Point Agenda, stressing that strengthening the statistical system is paramount to evaluate the current position and subsequent progress of the current administration.
Earlier in a keynote address, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, assured that the strategy would serve as guiding light, steering the nation towards a modernised and transformed statistical system.
According to him, “The development of this new strategy is a unique opportunity for us to assess our past, understand our present, and chart a course for our future. I firmly believe that every stakeholder represented in this room, brings with them, a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight into this process.
“Your inputs are invaluable, as they will guide us in identifying the most pressing data needs and challenges in our society.”
Prince Adeniran enumerated some key principles to be considered during the process such as inclusivity, Quality and Accuracy, Innovation and Technology, Capacity Building, and Partnerships and Collaboration.
Also speaking, Sen. Shehu Sani emphasized the importance of data in policy formulation and Implementation, saying that most of the mistakes made in the past would not have been made if accurate statistics were made use of.
He advocated that the first ideal thing to do by any new administration ought to be to contact the Statistician General of the Federation to provide them with current socioeconomic Statistics before embarking on any policy decision that will attend to the needs of the people.
He said this would save the new administration from making previous mistakes made by their predecessors. He argued that if one doesn’t have statistics, one will just be groping in the dark.
He wondered why the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting will be taking place weekly without the Statistician General of the Federation (SGF) because according to him the SGF ought to be the first gatekeeper that opens the gate by giving them briefs on current data which will guide the executives in their policy decisions.
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