KatsinaTimes
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Ma’am Hadiza Bala Usman, has joined national stakeholders, statisticians, development partners, and data professionals in marking the 2025 African Statistics Day at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Headquarters in Abuja.
Themed “Leveraging Innovations in Data and Statistics to Promote a Just, Peaceful, Inclusive and Prosperous Society for Africans”, the event focused on the critical role of credible data in shaping Africa’s future.
In her address, Bala Usman emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s belief that “data is the compass” guiding governance, without which policy decisions risk being misaligned with reality. She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to evidence-based decision making under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that policies, reforms, and investments reflect the real needs and lived experiences of Nigerians.
Bala Usman highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing partnership with the NBS to strengthen statistical systems, enhance transparency, support sound planning, and achieve measurable development outcomes. She explained how emerging technologies—such as AI-powered analytics, geospatial intelligence, mobile data tools, and real-time dashboards—are transforming the country’s capacity to detect vulnerabilities, anticipate risks, monitor progress, and craft inclusive solutions.
“Data is more than a tool; it is infrastructure for national development,” she said, urging increased investment in statistical capacity, stronger ethical safeguards for AI, and deeper collaboration across government, academia, and the private sector.
Bala Usman also commended the NBS, under Statistician-General Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, for its dedication to producing credible and timely data, describing the Bureau’s work as central to Nigeria’s development journey. She reaffirmed the administration’s support as the NBS continues to strengthen the nation’s data foundation, driving accountability and prosperity for all Nigerians.
