The Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, has called on Stakeholders to consider Inclusivity, Quality and Accuracy, Innovation and Technology, Capacity Building, Partnerships, and Collaboration in drafting the new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) in Nigeria.
Prince Adeniran made this known on Friday at the Northern Stakeholders Engagement Workshop for the Drafting of the NSDS Phase III, in Kano.
He noted that the workshop was intended to harvest ideas and valuable contributions towards the drafting of the third phase of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, commonly known as NSDS.
Expatiating on his call for inclusivity, he said, “we must ensure that the statistical system caters to the needs of all segments of our society, leaving no one behind. This means addressing data gaps related to marginalized groups, regions, and sectors, including issues related to gender, persons with disabilities, and those at the local government level most especially. This principle aligns very well with the global sustainable development agenda, which aims to leave no one behind”.
On innovation and technology, he said, “in crafting this new document, we must seek to embrace the latest technological advancements to streamline data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination processes. The ongoing digital revolution offers new opportunities to enhance our statistical capabilities, and we must fully embrace and maximize these opportunities that technology presents”, he said.
The Statistician General said, fostering collaborations with local and international organizations, academia, and the private sector, in order to access resources, knowledge, and technical assistance, was key to advancing the nation’s statistical system.
“We cannot, and should not continue to operate in isolation; our best results are achieved when we collaborate and partner with one another. So, we need to be intentional about forming partnerships over the next few years, and this should be a pivotal part of our strategy”, Adeniran added.
He further stated that continuous training and re-training of personnel, opportunities for exposure and exchanges, and interactions with colleagues from other statistical systems should be an essential element of the strategy.
He expressed optimism that the Kano workshop, just like the one held in Abuja would offer useful contributions which would form a critical basis for the new NSDS.
“Only last week, Tuesday and Wednesday to be precise, we successfully hosted a similar session like this, for the federal level stakeholders, in Abuja.
“The event, which was very well attended, drew participants from data producers, suppliers, and users, both from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society organisations.
“That occasion was a rich and bountiful harvest of ideas and useful contributions which will form a critical basis for this new NSDS in Nigeria, and this one in Kano will not be any different”, he assures.
Earlier, the Statistician General of Kano State, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu said, “this workshop holds particular significance as it brings together not only esteemed colleagues and professionals from various states but also the distinguished presence of the National Statistician-General.
“We are privileged to have the National Statistician-General and his counterparts from other states who have played pivotal roles in transforming statistical landscapes across the nation.
“Speaking of transformation, the National Statistician General has been an exemplar of leadership and innovation. His visionary approach has significantly elevated the National Bureau of Statistics, setting new standards and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in our field.
“Today, we have the opportunity to tap into this wealth of experience and insight as we collectively embark on shaping the NSDS Phase III.
“I encourage each one of you to actively participate in the discussions, share your expertise, and explore avenues for collaboration that will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this workshop and the development of statistics in our great nation”, he said.
