The Kogi Government has inaugurated the state consultative committee on statistics to boost data management, planning and evidence-based decision-making.

The Secretary to the State  Government of the State (SSG), Folashade Ayoade, who represented Governor Ahmed Ododo, inaugurated the 21-member committee on Tuesday in Lokoja.

The SSG stressed the importance of statistics to the state government and highlighted the role of each ministry in maintaining accurate data.

He stated that the committee would align government data with development goals, enhance coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), reduce duplication in data collection, and improve public access to statistics. 

He added that the committee would support project monitoring, improve budget planning, and promote data-driven decision-making, while also encouraging collaboration among members, preventing divisions, and introducing innovative approaches to strengthen data management in the state. 

In his address, the Chairperson, Bureau of Statistics, Mrs Ayo Irewole, said the committee signalled the importance that the state government placed on credible data for decision-making.

She noted that the committee would serve as a key monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the state’s 32-year development plan.

According to her, reliable statistics are essential for informed policy decisions in critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, media environment, water and sanitation, governance, security and youth development.

(NAN )