The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday solicited stakeholders’ support on the production of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2024-2028 scheduled to soon commence nationwide.
The NSDS 2024-2028, which is the Phase III of the exercise, is a comprehensive framework to guide the systematic and co-ordinated development of statistical activities in the country and designed to enhance the quality, relevance and accessibility of statistical data
The new NSDS 2024-2028 will provide mechanisms for a holistic reform of the National Statistical System (NSS) which will ensure an integrated, unified data production system.
It is intended, to cover the entire NSS by bringing together all agencies involved in data production and management across the three tiers of government and serve as a very important tool for evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation and national development planning.
Speaking at a National Stakeholders Engagement Workshop for the Drafting of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) Phase III, the Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said the drafting of the strategy would be a transformative journey towards the formulation of a new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics in Nigeria.
According to him, the strategy will serve as a guiding light for the Bureau in its sustained efforts towards a modernized and transformed national statistical system.
The Statistician-General explained: “In this age of data, we find ourselves at the crossroads of possibility and responsibility, for the path we chart today will shape the Nigeria of tomorrow.
“The development of this new strategy is a unique opportunity for us to assess our past, understand our present, and chart a course for our future.
“I firmly believe that every stakeholder represented in this room, brings with them, a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight into this process. Your inputs are invaluable, as they will guide us in identifying the most pressing data needs and challenges in our society”, Adeniran added
He urged all stakeholders in the national statistical system to avail the opportunity availed by the workshop to deliberate and make inputs to the crafting of the new National Strategy for the development of statistics in Nigeria and by implication, evidence-based policy formulation and implementation for the nation’s sustainable socio-economic development.
According to him, in the drafting of the strategy, the statistics agency would be guided by key principles of inclusivity, quality and accuracy, innovation and technology, capacity building, partnership and collaboration.
He expatiated: “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 marginalised groups, regions, and sectors. This includes issues pertaining to gender, persons with disability and those at the local government level. This principle is aligned with the spirit and letter of the global sustainable development agenda, which is to leave no one behind.
“We must continuously strive for excellence in data collection, analysis, and dissemination to maintain the trust of our users.
“Hence the importance of the quality of the output, soundness of the methodology and processes, and the robustness of our data sources, cannot be understated; they are extremely vital, and due attention must be paid to it”, the Statistician-General stressed.
He maintained that the Bureau would continue to embrace the latest technological advancements to streamline data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination processes as the current unrelenting digital revolution offered new opportunities to enhance statistical capabilities globally.
