YABATECH Don Calls for Evidence-Based Governance Through Statistics
Funmi Ogundare A chief lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Director at Epe Campus, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Abiodun Mohammed Karim, has called for the use of statistics
Abiodun Mohammed Karim, a chief lecturer at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and Director of the Epe Campus, has advocated for the use of statistics as an essential tool for informed decision-making in Nigeria's governance. In his inaugural lecture, titled "Statistics Beyond Numbers: Linking Faith, Life and Governance in Nigeria," Karim argued that statistics should extend beyond mere numerical calculations to encompass institutional planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making.
Karim emphasized that reliable statistical data could assist governments in identifying key issues, assessing policy alternatives, forecasting future demands, and evaluating the outcomes of implemented policies. He warned that without dependable statistical evidence, public policy might largely rely on speculation. Karim highlighted that statistical procedures are crucial for ensuring electoral integrity, including voter registration assessment, polling-unit distribution, election logistics, public opinion surveys, and post-election audits.
According to Karim, statistical methods can aid in detecting irregularities such as duplicate voter registrations, unusual voting patterns, and unexpectedly high voting turnout. He identified several obstacles impeding the effective implementation of statistics in Nigeria's democratic governance, including poor data quality, political interference, insufficient funding, weak institutional capacity, insufficient statistical literacy, delayed dissemination, and public skepticism.
To address these issues, Karim proposed strengthening the national statistical system, enhancing the independence of statistical institutions, investing in digital data collection and geospatial technologies, and providing continuous capacity building.
Karim also discussed the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning, asserting that the digital revolution has not diminished the significance of statistics but has rather heightened it. He stated that future statisticians would need expertise in probability, data science, machine learning, programming, data visualization, operations research, artificial intelligence, communication, and ethics.
To stay relevant, Karim recommended that tertiary institutions update their curricula, enhance interdisciplinary research, and incorporate AI and data science into statistical education.
He called upon YABATECH to expand partnerships with industry and government, foster applied research, internships, and consulting services, and urged the Federal Government to invest in modern statistical infrastructure, bolster the National Statistical System, promote open-data initiatives, and establish a national data bank. Karim emphasized that statistics should not be viewed merely as a set of mathematical techniques but as a distinct way of thinking that enables individuals, organizations, and governments to make better decisions based on evidence.
He concluded by asserting that statistics holds paramount importance because people matter, urging policymakers and institutions to embrace evidence, integrity, and objectivity in their decision-making processes.
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