Statisticians Seek Census, Return of Statistics to Schools

By Atlantic Reports

The Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) has called on the Federal Government to conduct a population and housing census and reintroduce statistics teaching in secondary schools.

CISON President Dr Godday Ebuh made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday at the institute’s third international conference and 50th anniversary celebration, running from October 14 to 16.

He said statisticians needed a stronger role in national decision-making as digital technology, spatial analysis and artificial intelligence increased the importance of reliable data.

“CISON calls on the Government to reintroduce the teaching of statistics in secondary schools; and conduct the long-overdue population and housing census,” he said.

Funding and Institutional Independence

Ebuh described statistics as essential infrastructure for governance and called for predictable funding, qualified personnel, modern data systems and professional independence for statistical institutions.

He also urged state governments to establish functional bureaux of statistics across the 36 states to complement the national statistical office.

The appeal placed emphasis on both producing credible figures and ensuring that institutions have the capacity and independence to sustain that work.

Better Data for Public Spending

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Abubakar Bagudu said credible data was central to planning and budgeting.

“Every budget is, in the end, a set of choices built on numbers,” he said.

“Investing in statistics is investing in better budgets, because every Naira spent on credible data helps government spend many more Naira wisely.”

Bagudu welcomed CISON’s plan to begin certification examinations in 2027 and urged the institute to strengthen professional standards and innovation.

He said his ministry would support the National Bureau of Statistics and deepen the use of data in planning and budgeting.

In a separate address delivered by Abubakar Othman, Director of Economic Research and Policy Management, the finance ministry stressed the importance of timely statistics for fiscal planning, revenue mobilisation, expenditure management and debt sustainability.

The address also urged CISON to strengthen engagement with data science, digital technologies and statistical literacy.

Commitments Await Practical Detail

The conference, themed “From Legacy to Leadership: 50 Years of Promoting Statistical Development in Nigeria”, brought together statisticians, policymakers, academics and development partners.

Although speakers endorsed stronger statistical systems, the account did not announce a census timetable, dedicated funding commitments or a process for restoring statistics teaching in secondary schools.

Those steps would determine how the calls translate into better information for decisions affecting schools, healthcare, housing and other public services.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.