YABATECH Don Advocates for Statistics in Governance

Abiodun Mohammed Karim, a chief lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Director at Epe Campus of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), delivered an exaugural lecture titled ‘Statistics Beyond Numbers: Linking Faith, Life and Governance in Nigeria’ on Thursday. He called for the integration of statistics as a fundamental tool for evidence-based governance in Nigeria, impacting public policy, budgeting, elections, national planning, and sustainable development.

Karim argued that credible statistics are essential for identifying priority areas, evaluating policy options, and measuring outcomes. He highlighted the critical role of statistical processes in ensuring electoral integrity, including voter registration analysis and post-election audits.

Karim identified challenges such as poor data quality and political interference that hinder effective statistical application in governance. He urged for stronger national statistical systems, investment in digital data collection, and modernized curricula in tertiary institutions.

He also called for adherence to ethical standards among professional statisticians and emphasized the growing importance of AI and data science in the field.