Oborevwori Calls for Robust National Data Ecosystem to Drive Nigeria’s Growth

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has stressed the critical role of data in shaping Nigeria’s development trajectory, calling for the establishment of a robust and integrated national data ecosystem to accelerate economic growth and national prosperity.

The governor made the call on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Asaba while declaring open the 2nd International Conference of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria (CISON), with the theme “Big Data and Analytics in Nigeria: Developing a National Data Ecosystem for Enhanced National Prosperity.”

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Governor Oborevwori described the theme as “apt, timely, and forward-looking,” stressing that data-driven decision-making was the cornerstone of sustainable development.

He noted that his administration had consistently supported the Central Office of Research and Statistics to conduct and publish several statistical surveys, including the Delta State Market Calendar 2025, Delta State Statistical Yearbook 2024, Road Traffic Survey 2024, Delta State GDP for 2021 and 2022, Labour Force Survey 2025, Poverty Mapping 2025, and the 2023–2024 GDP figures.

“The true promise of big data lies not in the sheer volume of numbers collected, but in our capacity to transform those numbers into actionable knowledge that drives policy, shapes decisions, and changes lives,” Oborevwori said.

He revealed that through poverty mapping and the social register, his administration had supported over 300,000 poor and vulnerable households via the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (DCARES) programme and other social interventions.

The governor urged statisticians to embrace big data analytics, machine learning, and emerging innovations, while also addressing challenges of data governance and privacy in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.

“This conference is therefore a clarion call for developing a national data ecosystem, including the establishment of a robust data infrastructure,” Oborevwori added.

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, represented by Mr. Matthew Nganjiozo, described big data analytics as a “game-changer for education,” noting its potential to inform policies, optimize resource allocation, and personalize learning.

Delta’s Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, commended CISON for choosing the state as host, adding that the gathering underscored the growing importance of data in shaping national development.

Earlier, CISON President, Dr. Ebuh Godday, said Nigeria must harness big data to drive evidence-based policy-making, describing the conference as both timely and visionary.

Other key speakers included the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Economic Policy), represented by the Director of Statistics, Dr. Usman Okpanachi.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a plaque and decoration of Governor Oborevwori with CISON paraphernalia in recognition of his support for statistics and the institute.