The need for efficient data management towards updating Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) has been stressed.
A consultant, Mr Rasack Nayamuth made the call at the just concluded “Stakeholders Consultation, Engagement, and Data Collation Workshop for the Preparation of Nigeria’s NDCs 3.0” in Lagos.
The event was organised by the NCCCS with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.
The two week event, which started from Abuja brought together over 600 participants from Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the private sector.
Mr. Nayamuth noted significant achievements and persistent challenge especially in the area of data management.
He acknowledged the persistent problem of“no data” while providing insight into its root causes.
“There are a few, very few institutions that have got good data management systems. Most of the institutions don’t have a proper data collection and management framework. I think that we can’t blame the institutions for that. It’s much more a system that has not been developed and rolled out in the country,” .
He emphasized the importance of developing a nationwide data framework to support not just reporting but also the continuous revision of sectoral plans.
“Not policies, but plans over the periods of five years that enables proper tracking of achievements. Barriers eventually get the projects to work in a better way.”
Nayamuth noted that engagement at the local government level has not yet been achieved individually due to the sheer number of Local Government Councils, but the team has been working with umbrella organizations that represent these bodies.
“There is data. It’s a bit too many. It’s very difficult to work individually with them. But it’s not excluded. It will take some time,”
Nayamuth also clarified concerns raised about the role of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the data collection process and claims that the NBS was not fully carried along.
“NBS is always a key stakeholder for us… they are building slowly but surely their database on certain sectors that were not covered by their services. But it takes time.”
He added that Nigeria’s size and complexity of 36 states, the FCT, and a population of over 200 million makes it challenging to achieve a rapid transformation in data systems.
According to Rasack, Interactive peer-to-peer learning sessions during the workshop have been valuable, with institutions that have effective data frameworks sharing their experiences with others.
“Some of them are sharing how they have overcome this issue of not getting the data, so that other people also will understand how they can implement changes at their level,” he added.
Rasack encouraged stakeholders to take ownership of the data process.
“Set themselves quantitative targets. Look at what are the barriers. Work towards removing them. Get into the habit of documenting every day what you are doing, participate in the development of what is mandatory and called measurement, reporting, and verification frameworks,”Rasack advised.
Another consultant at the event, Bhardowaz Ramlowat emphasized the importance of face-to-face engagement.
“There is nothing that can replace a face-to-face engagement in Africa. We have been able to clarify certain aspects, participants have also been able to give their inputs and share their knowledge, It has been very positive, both in Abuja and here also.”
On the question of whether stakeholders can meet the new submission deadline of June 6, Ramlowat remained optimistic but realistic.
“It would be great if 100% of them can stay by that deadline. But at least if we have achieved 70 or 60%. it’s a great step forward. We have over 600 actions already listed with us from the states, which were not there previously. I’m looking at the progress. The expectation is something else, but the progress, definitely, there’s going to be.”
Olagunju Julius, a chief statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics emphasized the need for a more systematic and inclusive approach to data collection.
He criticized the bypassing of the NBS, Nigeria’s apex data agency, noting that doing so compromises the authenticity and quality assurance of data.
“There is data in Nigeria, but access must follow the right procedures. You can’t expect to gather reliable national data within one or two weeks without involving the right agencies, especially the NBS,” He said.
“NBS has the infrastructure, networks, and experience to coordinate such magnitude exercises. Data collection must not be rushed.”
He also faulted consultants working on the NDC update for poor planning and excluding key stakeholders early enough in the process. According to him, meaningful consultations should have begun months before the data was required.
“If this had been a collaborative process from the start, involving the MDAs and other relevant bodies, we would already have useful data to work with. Instead, consultants are struggling due to late starts and short timelines.”
Julius stressed that many MDAs, including NBS, have data readily available but often face delays due to bureaucracy and lack of operational funds.
He called for better coordination through established platforms such as MDA steering committees and the adoption of a standardized data collection template bearing the logos of collaborating agencies.
Source: Authority
