By Lucy Ogalue
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged statisticians to strengthen Nigeria’s information methods and promote evidence-based policy-making to speed up financial transformation and enhance public service supply.
Shettima made the decision on the third International Conference and Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) on Thursday in Abuja.
Shettima was represented by Mr Fred Eklaga, the Technical Assistant within the Office of the Vice-President,
The convention, with the theme: “From Legacy to Leadership: 50 Years of Promoting Statistical Development in Nigeria,” introduced collectively statisticians, researchers, policy-makers and different stakeholders.
Shettima stated credible statistics have been important for efficient governance, financial planning, public accountability and funding selections, stressing that insurance policies have to be guided by proof and measurable outcomes.
He stated the success of the Federal Government’s financial reforms trusted dependable information to evaluate their results on poverty, employment, training, healthcare and infrastructure.
“Without credible statistics, government risks confusing expenditure with achievement, activity with productivity, and political declarations with measurable progress,” he stated.
The vice-president recognized outdated inhabitants information, fragmented data methods, insufficient measurement of casual financial actions and restricted agricultural statistics as main challenges requiring pressing consideration.
He famous that Nigeria’s final nationwide inhabitants census was carried out in 2006, leaving policy-makers reliant on estimates and projections for planning and useful resource allocation.
Shettima referred to as for a professionally carried out census, improved coordination amongst authorities establishments and extra well timed publication of dependable statistics.
He additionally burdened the necessity for correct agricultural information on crop yields, cultivated land, livestock, storage, post-harvest losses and market costs to strengthen meals safety.
On know-how, he stated massive information and Artificial Intelligence (AI) might enhance forecasting, planning and repair supply when supported by dependable data.
He defined that integrating meals costs, climate forecasts, satellite tv for pc imagery and agricultural output information might assist authorities anticipate shortages and reply earlier than they escalated.
For companies, he stated information analytics might enhance demand forecasting, detect fraud, optimise inventories and anticipate provide chain disruptions.
“The executive lesson is clear: data must move from the back office to the boardroom.
“Organisations should also integrate statistical insights into budgeting, investment and performance assessment,” Shettima stated
He cautioned that AI couldn’t produce dependable conclusions from poor-quality information, emphasising the necessity to defend privateness, cybersecurity and confidentiality.
Shettima stated the Federal Government would work in direction of strengthening the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) , bettering state statistical companies and digitising administrative data.
He urged CISON to strengthen skilled requirements, enhance information high quality, promote statistical literacy and broaden coaching in trendy statistical strategies, AI-assisted evaluation and information ethics.
The vice-president additionally referred to as for stronger collaboration amongst authorities, academia and trade, alongside efforts to mentor younger statisticians and broaden alternatives for girls.
“Behind every figure is a household seeking dignity. Behind every employment statistic is a person searching for opportunity, thus, the need to translate statistics into improved human welfare,” he stated.
He subsequently declared the convention open, expressing the hope that CISON’s subsequent 50 years would strengthen evidence-based governance and nationwide improvement.
Earlier, Prof Bashir Imono, the President, Ghana Statistical Association reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to cooperating with CISON, skilled improvement and statistical excellence throughout Africa.
The World Bank Lead Economist, Liliana Souso, additionally referred to as for a extra built-in, well timed and responsive statistical system in Nigeria, noting that dependable information might enhance insurance policies and programmes.
Similarly, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Abel Enitan, stated dependable information have been important for public-sector planning and useful resource allocation.
The Head of Service was represented by Adinu Shukuneri, the Director of Planning and Structural Statistics.
He stated improved workforce information might assist the civil service establish abilities gaps, information coaching, strengthen workforce planning and promote transparency in public useful resource administration.
He urged CISON to maintain skilled improvement, assist younger statisticians and strengthen collaboration with the civil service to enhance public administration. (NAN)
Edited by Ese E. Ekama-Williams
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