In a bold call to action, participants of the recently concluded Research Oriented Course (ROC) in Time Series: Analysis and Applications, organized by the Statistics Program of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) in Abuja, emphasized the critical need for governments at all levels to harness the power of statistics for informed national development. Held over two weeks, the course aimed to deepen understanding of statistical applications and to stress the urgency of using data-driven approaches to foster Nigeria’s economic growth and policy precision.
The participants, including academics, researchers, government planners, and industry experts, issued a communique underscoring that Nigeria’s developmental challenges have been significantly impacted by the lack of reliable, verifiable data for effective national planning. The communique highlighted that informed decision-making, rooted in solid statistical evidence, is crucial for deliberate and sustainable development, a path Nigeria must urgently pursue.
“Embracing statistics is not only about improving current policy but about laying the groundwork for a sustainable, economically resilient Nigeria.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Promise Mebine, Director General of the National Mathematical Centre, reiterated the importance of statistics as a catalyst for national progress. Prof. Mebine emphasized that statistics are vital for the country’s economic advancement, serving as the foundation for informed, fact-based policies that address the nation’s unique socio-economic challenges. “Statistics is needed in all sectors of the nation’s economy to solve various problems through informed decisions,” he asserted, adding that government decision-making processes must prioritize data reliability and accuracy to ensure budgetary precision and effective resource allocation.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Clement Awogbemi, the Acting Coordinator of the Statistics Program at the NMC, explained that the ROC course was specifically designed to equip participants with advanced methods in the research, teaching, and application of statistics. He emphasized the importance of supporting statistical education and research in Nigerian institutions, urging the government to foster statistical literacy and data analysis skills within academia, ministries, and industry to support the country’s national planning and development needs.
The ROC course stands as a vital reminder of the necessity for reliable data in every facet of governance. Embracing statistics is not only about improving current policy but about laying the groundwork for a sustainable, economically resilient Nigeria. The event has inspired a renewed call for the Nigerian government to make statistics a cornerstone of policy formulation, ensuring that decisions are driven by concrete, empirical evidence.
