By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has renewed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting data-driven decision-making, transparency, and citizen engagement in public policy and governance.
“Our policies and programs must be shaped by facts, not speculation. Data is the bedrock of responsible governance, and it must guide every step we take in national development,” he said.
In his remarks, the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, called for stronger public understanding of statistical work, greater investment in data systems, and more constructive engagement from media and civil society.
“I often wonder who gave the media the authority to pass judgment on statistical methodologies they do not fully understand. Why are they so invested in undermining our work instead of engaging with it constructively?” he asked, reflecting his frustration at the public scrutiny facing recent statistical releases.
The Statistician-General laid bare several challenges confronting statistics development in Nigeria, including:
Sample size constraints: He explained that some national surveys, including the Multidimensional Poverty Index, rely on limited sample sizes due to funding and logistical constraints—an issue that affects the precision of nationwide data in a country of over 200 million people.
He noted that statistical agencies are often underfunded, with national priorities skewed toward sectors like health, leaving data generation and analysis under-supported.
The Statistician-General emphasized the importance of integrating data from private sector sources, administrative records, and surveys to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
“Statistical definitions are not fixed; they evolve as economies and labor markets change. Our responsibility is to align with those changes—not to manipulate outcomes,” he clarified.
READ ALSO:
- US-convicted Osun monarch asks court to stop Adeleke from appointing successor
- Crisis looms as Osun APC names Oyebamiji DG of parallel Tinubu campaign council
- UCL: Stuttgart defender warns of Osimhen threat ahead Galatasaray clash
- Gunmen abduct six mourners conveying corpse to village, demand N15m
- Popular Oyo boxer stabbed in neck during street fight in Ibadan
Despite expressing concern about uninformed commentary, the Statistician-General acknowledged the critical role of the media and civil society in holding institutions accountable. He called for more informed dialogue and collaborative efforts to strengthen public trust in official statistics.
“Statistics are public goods. Citizens should not only have access to them, but also understand what they mean—and we need every stakeholder, including the media, to help achieve that,” Prince Adeyemi noted.
The Statistician-General concluded with a strong appeal for greater investment in the national statistical system, stressing that credible data is essential for policy, planning, and democracy.
“We cannot expect world-class data with third-world investment. If we want evidence-based policymaking, then data must be funded, protected, and respected,” he stated.
The event brought together senior government officials, civil society leaders, development partners, and citizens to review progress on the national budget and reinforce the importance of data in shaping Nigeria’s development journey.
The Forum brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, development partners, and the general public to foster collaboration and deepen public understanding of fiscal policy, planning, and governance in Nigeria.
