By Hosea Parah, Abuja
Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has expressed delight at the production of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), 2024-2028 in Nigeria.
During a workshop in Abuja, Senator Bagudu highlighted the importance of the NSDS as a globally-recognized framework for statistical development. He emphasized that the NSDS plays a crucial role in evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and national development. The new NSDS for 2024-2028 aims to bridge existing gaps and challenges, creating a unified and comprehensive data production system that accurately reflects the country’s current realities.
Addressing the workshop, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, emphasized the significance of statistics in shaping policies, allocating resources, and assessing progress in society. He stressed the need for a robust strategy to guide the growth and development of the statistical system.
Prince Adeniran outlined five key principles for the new NSDS: inclusivity, accuracy and quality of statistics, innovation and technology, capacity building, and partnerships and collaboration. He encouraged stakeholders to actively contribute their insights and expertise to the drafting of the NSDS, as their inputs would guide the identification of data needs and challenges in Nigerian society.
Both Senator Bagudu and Prince Adeniran acknowledged the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and the need for a well-trained workforce to enhance the effectiveness of the statistical system. They highlighted the role of partnerships with international organizations, academia, and the private sector in accessing resources and technical assistance.
Prince Adeniran expressed his optimism about the possibilities that lie ahead and the collective wisdom of the stakeholders present at the workshop. He emphasized the importance of a shared vision for a stronger statistical system in Nigeria, which would lead to informed decisions, progress, and prosperity for the nation.
He thanked the government, oversight committees, development partners, and all other stakeholders for their support and dedication to the development of statistics in Nigeria. He called for active participation and collaboration in crafting a strategy that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and relevant to the diverse needs of Nigerian society