As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 2024 Population Day on Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the need for improved data collection, analysis, and deployment of technology to generate more comprehensive and inclusive evidence.
He says doing so will guide the government’s decisions, investment choices, and the development pathway.
According to him, deploying the best technology to strengthen data systems and institutions, upgrading human resources and capacities, and promoting partnerships that will facilitate generating and using inclusive data will guarantee a resilient and equitable future for all Nigerians
The Vice President spoke on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2024 World Population Day at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
VP Shettima observed that this year’s theme which recognizes the power of data and emphasizes the promises of inclusive data is enlightening.
He said, “Data is life. Data is our evidence. Data is our performance. It is the most realistic picture of situations, trends, and patterns; it tells us how many we are, with an understanding of the age structure, sex structure, location, and more. Data is the true story of our experiences and informs us about today and the future through scientific projections, forecasting, and analysis.
“Despite our last census taking place about 18 years ago, Nigeria has never relegated the importance of data. This is why this day invites us to recommit to improving our data collection, analysis, and deployment of modern technology.
“This will generate more comprehensive and inclusive evidence to guide government decisions, investment options, and development paths.”
Challenge
While noting that inclusive data had been one of the major challenges to governance in Nigeria for decades, the Vice President reassured however that with President Bola Tinubu in the saddle, Nigerians now have a leader who is not only a man of numbers, as a first-rate accountant, but also recognizes them as critical components in the nation’s development drive.
Youth Enterprise
VP Shettima also disclosed that a Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters worth N110 billion is in the offing. This, he noted, is in addition to a Youth Data Bank and a National Youth Development Bank, as well as the already existing N110 billion Youth Investment Fund.
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The VP stated: “It is worthy to note that under this present dispensation, we were able to fulfill the 30% quota for youth inclusion in governance across all tiers of government and most importantly, the President has walked the talk. He approved the sum of N110 billion for the Youth Investment Fund.
“We are setting up the National Youth Development Bank. We are going to set up the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters worth N110 billion. This is in addition to the Youth Data Bank that the minister earlier talked about that we are setting up.”
He pointed out that if the government at all levels has access to inclusive data sources, its policy actions and investments will align with the needs of the citizens.
The Vice President listed the needs to include the provision of decent jobs that pay sustainable incomes to the working-age population, the creation of affordable and equitable access to quality healthcare services at all levels, and quality education for all.
Earlier in her address, Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, commended the commitment of partners evident in their participation at the event, urging them to leverage scientific evidence to resolve the myriads of challenges confronting the various segments of the world’s population.
She also disclosed plans by the Nigerian Government to build a youth data bank that will be dedicated to harnessing the potential of young people for national development regardless of their location and status.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, noted the important role of periodic headcounts in generating administrative data for inclusive planning and sustainable development.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s last census was conducted nearly two decades ago, and stressed the urgent need for updated, credible, and comprehensive data to inform policy decisions and interventions.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for renewed commitment and investment to turn the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action promises into reality.
Guterres, who was represented by the Director of the UN Information Centre for Nigeria, Ronald David Kayanja, stressed the critical role of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in sustainable development.
Also, the Executive Director United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, represented by UNFPA Nigeria Deputy Representative, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, emphasized the need for inclusive data systems that capture human diversity.
The UNFPA chief called for commitment to ensure data systems capture the full range of human diversity, stating, “When data and other systems work for those on the margins, they work for everyone.”
There were goodwill messages from the representatives of civil society organisations, young persons, and the population advisory group, among other stakeholders.
Translated versions of the national policy document on population were also revealed at the event.
