By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced preparations and field activities for the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7) to strengthen evidence-based development planning.
This was disclosed in a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the HOD, Communication and Public Relations Department, NBS, Mr. Alesanmi Folorunso, and Deputy Representative, Programme, UNICEF,Dr. Rownak Khan.According to the statement, the data generated from the exercise would support policy-making and targeted development interventions in key areas such as child health, nutrition, education, and other welfare indicators.
The MICS is a globally recognized household survey programme designed to provide statistically sound and internationally comparable data on women and children.
The survey produces useful insights on child protection, schooling, healthcare access, water, sanitation, and household living conditions.
Results from MICS are used to track progress under major frameworks including the Renewed Hope Agenda, Agenda 2063 of the African Union, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NBS explained that the survey represents Nigeria’s most comprehensive dataset for understanding conditions affecting children, women, and vulnerable groups.
Conducted every five years, according to the Bureau, this round would generate state-level and national indicators across all 36 states and the FCT to close critical data gaps and support evidence-backed decision-making.
NBS said its trained interviewers would visit selected households using digital tools to collect accurate data.
According to the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, “MICS has been Nigeria’s trusted tool for understanding the lives of women and children since 1995, turning complex realities into hard numbers that drive policy and progress.”
In the word of UNICEF Deputy Representative to Nigeria, Rownak Khan, “since 1995, MICS has been Nigeria’s leading source of information which is also desegregated for women and children”.
The management of NBS and UNICEF have requested the support of households across the country in providing accurate responses to interviewers as fieldwork progresses from December 2025 to March 2026.
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