By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) commemorated African Statistics Day 2024 with a keynote address from the Statistician General of the Federation and NBS CEO, emphasizing Nigeria’s advancements in transforming its statistical systems and the pressing need for innovation in education data.

The event, held at NBS headquarters in Abuja, gathered key stakeholders from the statistical and education sectors. This year’s theme, “Supporting Education by Modernizing the Production of Fit-for-Purpose Statistics,” underscored the crucial role of data in enhancing education outcomes and tackling challenges faced by African countries.

In his address, the Statistician General highlighted the necessity for Nigeria’s statistical framework to adapt to technological progress. He pointed out that conventional data collection methods are increasingly inadequate in today’s fast-evolving environment, particularly in education. “Innovation is crucial to provide timely, relevant, and reliable data for policymakers,” he asserted.

The Statistician General outlined several initiatives aimed at modernizing the production and dissemination of data at NBS. A key initiative is the establishment of a Data Innovation Desk, responsible for overseeing innovation efforts across the Bureau’s statistical operations. Furthermore, NBS is incorporating advanced technology to enhance data collection, processing, and communication, thus better serving the needs of the public and policymakers.

Significant achievements were noted, including the inclusion of children as young as three in the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-6). This expansion enriches data on early childhood development and aligns with national education policy goals.

The NBS’s involvement in the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) program was also highlighted, as the Bureau gathered data on 5 million pupils and over 45,000 schools across 17 states, providing critical insights into the educational landscape and enabling targeted interventions.

Additionally, the Statistician General announced a new pilot project, funded by the World Bank, aimed at enhancing the collection and dissemination of administrative education statistics among Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This initiative is designed to equip policymakers with better access to accurate, up-to-date data for informed education policies and programs.

The Statistician General commended the leadership of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, for his dedication to statistical innovation, particularly in the Ward-based Agricultural Data Collection initiative, which aggregates data from various sources for local policy decisions.

As part of the 2024 celebrations, NBS inaugurated a tradition of recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of statistics. This initiative aims to inspire young statisticians and raise awareness about the importance of data-driven decision-making in national development.

The Statistician General expressed optimism for the future, anticipating even greater advancements in the quality and accessibility of Nigeria’s statistical systems by next year’s African Statistics Day. “I look forward to reconvening next year with even more evidence that statistics in Nigeria are progressing positively,” he concluded.

The event served as a reminder of the essential role modern data systems play in shaping effective policies, particularly in education, where timely and accurate data can lead to improvements for millions of children across the continent.