Experts at the International Conference of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON) have emphasized the need to leverage big data and advanced statistical methodologies to drive national development.
The call was made on Wednesday in Asaba during the pre-conference workshop of the 2nd Annual International Conference of CISON, themed “Big Data and Analytics in Nigeria: Developing a National Data Ecosystem for Enhanced National Prosperity.”
CISON President, Dr. Godday Ebuh, noted that sectors such as education, health, security, and news reporting are already being transformed globally by artificial intelligence and big data analytics. He warned that Nigeria is lagging behind in adopting these practices.
“Every good policy is based on data. Without robust statistics, planning becomes mere estimation,” Ebuh said, citing the absence of an updated national census since 2006 as a major challenge. He stressed the need for a strong national data ecosystem to support accurate planning and decision-making at federal and state levels.
Dr. Michael Mbah, Chairman of the National Organising Committee and representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the conference would provide a platform for statisticians and data professionals to deliberate on national issues. “Everything now revolves around data,” he said, adding that professionals trained in big data analytics and AI would strengthen informed decision-making across sectors.
Delta State Director of Statistics and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Nkechi Maduemezia, highlighted the growing awareness of data’s importance. “Unlike before, people are now talking about statistics. This conference is about equipping participants to leverage big data across sectors that truly impact citizens’ lives,” she said.
The conference brought together statisticians, economists, and data scientists from across Nigeria to explore innovations in AI, big data analytics, and their applications in health, education, security, and finance.
