Isiaka Ibrahim, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, advocates for safeguarding the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) against political interference to enhance its operational efficiency.
This assertion by Ibrahim was delivered at a public lecture in Abuja on Wednesday, coinciding with the observance of the 2023 African Statistics Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2023 African Statistics Day was ‘Modernising Data Ecosystems to Accelerate the Implementation of the AfCFTA: The Role of Official Statistics and Big Data in the Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development of Africa.’
He cautioned that the introduction of political influence might raise doubts about the trustworthiness of data emanating from the NBS.
‘Statistics form the adjustable shock absorber of any government, be it at the local, state, or federal level.’
‘Any government that is not taking what we are talking about today so seriously is only going to succeed in handing poverty to its citizens.’
‘We need to insulate the NBS from any political interference, because once whatever the whole world wants to rely on is subjected to alteration through political interference, its reliability will be in doubt.’
‘But once you are insulated through the backing of the law, definitely everyone will be encouraged to do his or her job effectively and efficiently,’ he said.
In his role as the Senate Committee Chairman on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya acknowledged Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges, citing concerns over poverty, inflation, and the increasing debt load.
Yahaya stressed the importance of the NBS delivering trustworthy data to persuade both the executive and legislature on actionable measures to confront these challenges.
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He gave assurance to the NBS, stating that the National Assembly is committed to furnishing the required resources for accurate data collection, ultimately aiding in poverty alleviation in Nigeria.
‘We will look into your challenges and give you the necessary tools you need to provide the needed reliable information to address these challenges,’ he said.
Segun Awolowo, Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, spoke on ‘The Role of Statistics and Big Data in Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development’.
Through Zakari Jimeta, acting as the Sensitisation/Communications Coordinator at the National Action Committee Secretariat for AfCFTA, Awolowo asserted that the strategic use of big data holds the potential for numerous benefits within the context of the trade agreement.
He highlighted that the benefits involved making informed decisions, augmenting market intelligence, promoting financial inclusion and access, and optimizing supply chain efficiency.
He cited further benefits, covering customs and border management, targeted investment, sustainable development, and public health and safety.
Among the proposed recommendations for maximizing big data in AfCFTA implementation was the counsel to prioritize investment in resilient data infrastructure.
‘To fully capitalise on the potential of big data, African nations must prioritise investment in robust data infrastructure. This includes enhancing data collection mechanisms, ensuring data security, and establishing interoperable systems.’
‘Governments should collaborate with private sector entities to build a comprehensive and standardised data infrastructure that facilitates seamless data exchange among member countries.’
‘By doing so, we pave the way for a unified and interconnected data ecosystem that supports the objectives of AfCFTA.’
Awolowo stressed the importance of capacity building and skills development as another recommendation, affirming that a skilled workforce is essential for the triumphant implementation of big data initiatives.