Gov. Oborevwori Urges Statisticians to Adopt Big Data, Machine Learning for National Prosperity

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has issued a strong call to action to statisticians across Nigeria, urging them to fully embrace innovative techniques like big data analytics and machine learning as essential tools for national development. The Governor stressed that adapting to these modern methodologies is crucial not only for economic planning but also for addressing the critical challenges of data governance and privacy in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Governor Oborevwori made this address during the 2nd International Conference of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON), which the state proudly hosted in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, on Thursday. Represented by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Governor emphasized the critical, central role that accurate, timely data plays in shaping Nigeria’s development trajectory. He highlighted the urgent need for the development of a robust and integrated national data ecosystem as a primary engine for driving sustainable economic growth and overall national prosperity.

He stated that the theme of the conference, “Big Data and Analytics in Nigeria: Developing a National Data Ecosystem for Enhanced National Prosperity,” was timely, apt, and forward-looking, perfectly capturing the national imperative of the moment. Declaring the occasion officially open, Governor Oborevwori stressed that data-driven decision-making is no longer optional but an absolute necessity for all policymakers and stakeholders across both the public and private sectors.

“I congratulate the Institute for sustaining this important platform for dialogue on the role of data and analytics in shaping Nigerians development trajectory,” the Governor said, acknowledging CISON’s role in fostering critical discourse. He further noted that his administration in Delta State had already demonstrated a commitment to this principle, relying heavily on accurate data for planning and development. As proof of this commitment, he cited the continuous support given to the Central Office of Research and Statistics, which is regularly funded to undertake and publish several necessary statistical surveys that inform state policy.

Echoing the theme, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described “Big Data Analytics” as a game-changer for education. Represented by Mr. N. Matthew, the Minister emphasized the significance of data analytics in transforming the education sector to unlock wider national prosperity. He stressed that in the face of persistent economic challenges and global uncertainties, harnessing advanced statistical methodologies can inform government policies, optimize the allocation of scarce resources, and, critically, allow for the personalization of learning experiences for students across the country.

Earlier, in his official welcome address, the President of CISON, Dr. Ebuh Godday, stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to harness the potential of big data to inform policy decisions and drive comprehensive national development, describing the timing of the conference as both timely and visionary. The high-profile event also featured contributions from other key national economic and statistical figures, including the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, as well as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic Policy, who was represented by the Director of Statistics, Dr. Usman Okpanachi.