A Professor of Statistics at the University of Ibadan (UI), Olusanya Elisah Olubusoye, has called on the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to make use of data and statistics in policy formulation and agenda to achieve transformation.
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Olubusoye gave the charge while presenting the 537th inaugural lecture of the Faculty of Science, UI, with the title: ”From Data To Wonders: Unlocking The Extraordinary Power Of Statistics.”

The professor called for the adoption of a private sector-led demand-side subsidy to encourage productivity, reduce unemployment and enhance transformation.

He said: ”The University of Ibadan management should give special attention to internationalisation and walk the talk. A premier university should truly reflect a global community of intellectuals.
”The government should declare one day yearly to celebrate Nigerian Statistics Day (NSD) and stimulate statistical consciousness among citizens. I suggest December 21 of every year for this celebration.”

“The celebration will bring together stakeholders in the Nigerian project to demand evidence-driven policies andmassive investment in data production, accessibility and dissemination.
”The government should adopt a demand-side subsidy (public-private partnership) that encourages the private sector to gainfully engage the teaming youth population. This would simultaneously promote productivity and reduce unemployment.
“I emphasise the importance of data and how statistical methods help to generate evidence from it. I aim to establish the connection between data, statistics, and science and their crucial roles in advancing knowledge and understanding in various fields.
”By utilising statistical data to inform policies and agendas, Oyo State and other Nigerian states can experience a remarkable transformation.
”Similarly, for universities to excel in research and fulfil their commitment to knowledge and human resource production,vice-chancellors and other key administrators must unlock
the exceptional power of statistics.
”We all must acknowledge the significance of data, celebrate statistics and equip ourselves with the necessary knowledgeand skills to effectively unlock the power of statistics.”
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