The Kogi State Government has inaugurated a consultative committee on statistics to strengthen data management, development planning, and evidence-based decision-making.
Folashade Ayoade, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), inaugurated the 21-member committee on Tuesday in Lokoja on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo.
Mrs Ayoade underscored the critical role of statistics in governance and charged each ministry with maintaining accurate data. She said the committee would align government data with development goals, improve coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), reduce duplication in data collection, and enhance public access to statistical information.
She added that the committee would support project monitoring, refine budget planning, and foster data-driven decision-making. It would also encourage collaboration among members, prevent institutional silos, and introduce innovative approaches to strengthen the state’s data ecosystem.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Bureau of Statistics, Ayo Irewole, said the committee reflected the government’s commitment to credible data for policy and planning. She noted that the body would serve as a key monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the state’s 32-year development plan.
According to Mrs Irewole, reliable statistics are essential for informed policy decisions across critical sectors, including education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, media and environment, water and sanitation, governance, security, and youth development.