Statisticians and other key players in the data collection sector have been urged to embrace modern ICT tools for data collection, collation, and analysis in order to keep pace with evolving trends in the industry.
The Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr. Adeniyi Adeniran, made the call at the First Biannual Meeting of the National Consultative Committee of Statistics held in Katsina.
He tasked statisticians in the country to update their skills regularly and keep abreast of latest technological tools in data collection and analysis to remain relevant in the rapidly changing data collection environment.
“Given the way and manner in which the proliferation of technology is rapidly changing the data ecosystem, expanding frontiers and boundaries of possibilities with data, as custodians of official data, we cannot remain aloof and make excuses.
“We must find ways to get by, taking advantage of any available opportunities, to keep our relevance and meet our responsibilities.
“While challenges still exist, particularly when it comes to resources and capacity, we must find ways to continue to deliver on our mandate”, Mr. Adeniyi said.
Mr. Adeniran noted that a step in this direction was the introduction of the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISAS) which is an ICT-compliant system of data collection.
“On the ISAS exercise, as you know, NBS has invested heavily in the system which is meant to enhance the process of collecting, analysing, and reporting data generated administratively.
“This source has hitherto been grossly under-utilised and inefficient, yet holds significant insights and value to our development.
“The aim of the project, therefore, is to develop a system that allows for the seamless flow of data using technology.
“It will not only collect data but will also analyse and report the data in several ways and formats, either through downloadable tables or in interesting visuals”, he noted.
On the importance of collecting data on state-level GDP, Mr. Adeniran noted that development partners, donor agencies, investors and policy makers usually request for data on the GDP of states in Nigeria, with a view to making more informed decisions about their involvement with the states.
“While significant progress has been made under the State GDP process, we need to ensure that we make the necessary efforts to conclude the exercise in time and start the process of validation and sensitising stakeholders for release of the results.
“One of the important things we want to achieve in this meeting is to map out strategies to ensure that states sufficiently take ownership of the exercise and the output”, .
He urged state governments and Statisticians-General of states to take ownership of the ongoing effort to provide statistics on state level GDP to enable more informed policies, investments, and other development initiatives.
In his speech, the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Radda, said the state government will use state-level GDP for macroeconomic planning and fiscal strategy to spur development and boost investor confidence in the state.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Faruk Jobe, the governor stressed the need for an inclusive methodology that will recognize contributions from the MSMEs sector which contributes over 70 per cent of the state’s GDP.
While noting that his administration values statistical data for evidence-based planning and efficient resource management, he called for an improved method for compiling the state’s GDP.
The governor assured stakeholders at the meeting that state-level GDP data collection in the state will be based on a sound methodology that reflects contributions from all sectors.
Convened by the Statistician-General of the Federation, the meeting brought together Statisticians-General of the 36 States and the FCT, and other stakeholders involved in data collection.
Some key policy makers also attended the meeting which had the theme: Promoting Development at the Subnational Level through improved state GDP.
Isma’il Adamu.
