Nigeria officials call for national census and improved data systems

During the third International Conference and Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) in Abuja, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and CISON President Dr. Godday Uwawunkonye Ebuh called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s data systems to support evidence-based governance.

Vice-President Shettima emphasized that reliable statistics are vital for assessing the impact of economic reforms on poverty, employment, and infrastructure. He warned that without credible data, the government risks “confusing expenditure with achievement, activity with productivity, and political declarations with measurable progress.” He identified several critical gaps, including outdated population data—noting the last national census was in 2006—fragmented information systems, and a lack of accurate agricultural statistics.

Dr. Ebuh echoed these sentiments, urging the Federal Government to conduct a long-overdue national population and housing census. He argued that current demographic information is essential for infrastructure planning and equitable resource distribution. Additionally, Ebuh advocated for restoring statistics as a subject in secondary schools, increasing funding for statistical institutions, and investing in data infrastructure to ensure policies are guided by evidence rather than assumptions.