The Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran has harped on the essence of making available credible and prompt data at the disposable of policy makers and planners at the subnational level.
He spoke at a two-day 2nd Bi-Annual Meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics (NCCS), holding in Ibadan, Oyo State. The theme is “Data Accessibility and Dissemination at the Sub-national Level”.
He explained that at the heart of the theme of the meeting is the recognition that Nigeria is a diverse and dynamic nation, comprised of states and regions with unique challenges and opportunities.
The Statistician General observed that as the nation navigates the complexities of a rapidly evolving world, the need for accurate, timely, and accessible data has never been more pronounced.
According to him, “It is our responsibility, as custodians of Data in Nigeria, to ensure that data is not only collected and analyzed but also disseminated effectively to empower decision-makers at all levels of government.
“To address the needs of our diverse population adequately, we must empower our sub-national entities with the tools and information necessary to make informed decisions tailored to their specific contexts.
“This issue of data accessibility and dissemination at the sub-national level is one of the contemporary issues that has emerged from several inputs and suggestions we have received during recent stakeholder engagements we have had in the past month, towards the development of the third phase new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, (NSDS)”.
Prince Adeniran who the Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), maintained that the journey towards making data more accessible at the sub-national level begins with a robust and inclusive data collection process.
“We must work collaboratively to enhance the granularity and accuracy of our data, ensuring that the data collection instruments, and analysis tools are designed to be inclusive, reflecting the nuances and peculiarity of each sub-national entity. You cannot disseminate what you have not collected or analysed.
“As a system, this may involve rethinking our processes and procedures. It will mean leveraging new technologies, expanding the scope of our surveys, and embracing innovative methodologies to capture and report this wide array of statistical insights that tell the story of our nation’s realities. We estimate that less than 20per cent of the information collected in our surveys are presented in the survey report.
“Equally important is the establishment of a framework for data sharing and collaboration. While recognizing the sensitivities surrounding certain types of information, we must strive to create a culture of openness and cooperation among data producers and suppliers. By fostering strong partnerships and adopting standardized protocols for data exchange, we can facilitate seamless collaboration and enhance the overall quality of our statistical outputs.
“In this regard, we are seriously working hard to develop a Data Innovation Laboratory that will seamlessly facilitate this kind of data exchange, sharing, and dissemination in a manner that can be easily understood by users. This will be a major activity out of several that will be outlined in the new NSDS when it is finalised before the end of the year.
“Moreover, the accessibility of data goes beyond its availability; it extends to how easily stakeholders can comprehend and utilize the information provided. As we work towards making data more accessible, we must prioritize initiatives that enhance data literacy at all levels of society”, he stated.
He highlight three key pillars that can guide efforts including Strengthening Collaborations for Comprehensive Data Production; Empowering Local Expertise through Capacity Building; and Innovative Approaches to Data Accessibility.
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