Wale Micaiah
Jul 23, 2017 · 9 min read

The Need for Data & Statistics in Governance

Q1: What’s the relationship between data and statistics? #DataInGovernance

A1a — These words: Data, and Statistics are often used interchangeably, but technically, they are different. #DataInGovernance

A1b — Data is a set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables. Usually meaningless until processed #DataInGovernance

A1c — Statistic is a fact or a single representation of a concept obtained from a study of a quantitative data. #DataInGovernance

A1d — Statistics is plural of Statistic — meaning many facts or representation of concept(s). #DataInGovernance

A1e — Statistics deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, & organization of data. #DataInGovernance

A1f — I usually say Statistics is a tool by which you make sense of numbers/data. #DataInGovernance

A1g — What gives Data meaning is the Context through which it/they are being viewed or manipulated/processed. #DataInGovernance

A1h — If I ask, 1 & 100 which is greater? You’ll say 100. However, if I introduce the context, Currency: $1 & N100, #DataInGovernance

A1i — and ask the same question, your answer will be different, surely. What changed? The Context. #DataInGovernance

A1j — A Context could be a Subject/Discipline, Perspective, Derivation, Field/Sector, Culture, etc #DataInGovernance

Q1k — In a nutshell, without Data there will be no Statistics. #DataInGovernance

Q1l — In this chat, you will hear more of Data interpreted as either a raw piece or in processed form. #DataInGovernance

Q2: What are the major roles they play in Governance? #DataInGovernance

Q2a — Summarily, I will say Data helps Government understand its people in a more granular way #DataInGovernance

Q2b — Usually, Government have primary purpose of existence. Some you will derive from political campaigns #DataInGovernance

Q2c — The Constitution of Nigeria says Security & Welfare of the People is Govt’s pry purpose. #DataInGovernance

Q2d — Data can help Government meet these responsibility in more direct and effective ways. #DataInGovernance

Q2e — With accurate Data, Government decisions and initiatives are more impactive, less wasteful with measurable outcomes. #DataInGovernance

Q2f — Data gives Government a bird’s-eye view of the Country and deploy resources EQUITABLY as necessary. #DataInGovernance

Q2g — In my opinion, Data is a tool of governance effectiveness and efficiency. #DataInGovernance

Q3: How can we do away with political influence on statistical analysis especially from Govt. Parastatals? #DataInGovernance

Q3a — Recently, I analysed the Monthly Allocations to States and reviewed the Revenue Sharing Formula #DataInGovernance

Q3b — In that formula, Population is a major determinant of what States get monthly, you can understand the implication. #DataInGovernance

Q3c — Automatically, Population figures become a political tool for resource control/allocation #DataInGovernance

Q3d — Data reflects the historical, present and future state of Governance & you can see why it is influential #DataInGovernance

Q3e — You can then understand why there may be an overriding political influence to make govt look good from data #DataInGovernance

Q3f — However, what I have understood and it’s true is that “Data don’t lie, but People do”. #DataInGovernance

Q3g — Again, there shouldn’t be much variance between Data & Reality, and that is how you know of Political Influence on Data #DataInGovernance

Q3h — One way is allowing #OpenData in Government. This is why the Freedom of Information Bill is critical #DataInGovernance

Q3i — Government sincerity to let Data reflect its performance is one way to get feedback and improve on governance #DataInGovernance

Q3j — If Govt want to look good without being GOOD, we will always have political influence on Data. #DataInGovernance

Q3k — In the 21st Century where so much intelligence can be derived from Data, we can’t afford to influence data for our good #DataInGovernance

Q3l — Govt should allow Data speak to them, and if they are sincere on their social contract, make amend to their ways #DataInGovernance

Q3m — We need Citizens to be interested in Govt Data. The more the eyes looking at it, the less the manipulation #DataInGovernance

Q3n — If majority of us aren’t interested in Govt Data, e.g. The Budget, we hardly can contribute to Governance #DataInGovernance

Q3o — Lastly, asking questions can save us a lot. Engaging Govt on their Data is a consciousness we need #DataInGovernance

Q4: Why is data and statistics important in electioneering and do you think Nigeria is doing well in this aspect? #DataInGovernance

Q4a — I mentioned about the pry purpose of Government — Ensure the Security & Welfare of Citizens #DataInGovernance

A4b — Section 16(1b) of our Constitutions talks about Maximum Welfare, Freedom, Happiness of Citizens #DataInGovernance

A4c — These are the subjects of Elections. Political Parties build their Campaigns around these topics #DataInGovernance

A4d — Therefore, if Data shows there is Insecurity, Poverty, & Recession, automatically that becomes subject of Campaigns #DataInGovernance

A4e — One reason Govt fail is they really don’t know the need of the people, and exactly how it should be #DataInGovernance

A4f — Hence, they develop a generic programme for all. We know that situations are not the same across board. #DataInGovernance

A4g — With Data, you are able to deploy the appropriate programme to where it suits the most. #DataInGovernance

A4h — You are able to allocate resources to meet people’s specific needs because that’s the intelligence data gives #DataInGovernance

A4i — Unfortunately, the Data that speaks to the specific needs of Nigeria, at States and Local Govt levels rarely exist. #DataInGovernance

A4j — Election data rarely exist in Nigeria. I currently have US Election Result from 1982, it is a public information #DataInGovernance

A4k — Data on what each Candidate spent during campaign (personal or donated) are available online #DataInGovernance

A4l — Do we know how much our Political parties & Politicians spend on Campaigns during elections? #DataInGovernance

A4m — Check INEC Website and let me know what you find. It is difficult for Political parties to plan without such Data #DataInGovernance

A4n — When we have more Data about our Social, Economic, & Environmental lives, good governance will be real to us #DataInGovernance

Q5: How can we use data and statistics in resources’ allocation? #DataInGovernance

A5a — Data such as Number of Out-of-School Children by Location automatically determines resource deployment #DataInGovernance

A5b — The Revenue Sharing Formula I referred to earlier has Education, Health and Water as allocation determinants #DataInGovernance

A5c — I think that is very good. However, they all make up a total of 10% compared to Population which is 30% #DataInGovernance

A5d — States seeing they have fewer Hospital Bed spaces and in what LGA, can deploy resources appropriately #DataInGovernance

A5e — Without Data, we repeat the error of duplicate allocation, deploying resources to where they already exist. #DataInGovernance

A5f — This is not strange to our Budgeting process. Take a look at the Budget, especially the Constituency Projects. #DataInGovernance

A5g — The 2017 Constituency Project document is not public, it would have been great to compare with 2016’s copy #DataInGovernance

A5h — Data actually helps Govt make better decision in Resource Allocation. It helps #ResourceEquity #DataInGovernance

A5i — For instance, in Security by the @Police…. Data, it is not logical that same number of police is deployed across States #DataInGovernance

A5j — @Police Crime Statistics give an indication of high crime areas & where more Police Officers are needed #DataInGovernance

A5k — Disease outbreak gives us insight into how we should deploy disease preventive controls #DataInGovernance

A5l — Insecurity in gives us a green light to where we need our Soldiers most. That’s the power of Data #DataInGovernance

Q6: What are the major factors hindering data collection and processing in Nigeria? #DataInGovernance

A6a — The National Bureau of Statistics is the pry organ of data collection and dissemination in Nigeria #DataInGovernance

A6b — The @NBS leverages on other Govt agencies to fulfill this responsibility. However, they are highly underfunded. #DataInGovernance

A6c — The Approved Budget of the NBS is hardly sufficient for them to do the work required by such Agency #DataInGovernance

A6d — NBS Approved Budget — N5.35Bn (2017), N4.63Bn (2016), N4.57Bn (2015), N4.62Bn (2014), N4.89Bn (2013) #DataInGovernance

A6e — This is just approved Budget, there is no assurance that all are released to NBS to carry out planned tasks #DataInGovernance.

A6f — Another factor would be the absence of Statistics Offices in State & Local Govts as well as Govt Agencies #DataInGovernance

A6g — Lack of trained personnel in the field of Statistics is another major factor. #DataInGovernance

A6h — Govt MDAs refusing to honour the provisions of the FoI Act is also a setback to Data collection #DataInGovernance

A6i — Finally, lack of a governance perspective of the role of Data in the 21st Century democracy #DataInGovernance

A6j — Our government, across board are yet to appreciate the place of Data in Governance #DataInGovernance

Q7: How can data and statistics help in reduction of unmindful Nigeria? #DataInGovernance

A7a — It isn’t that Government is unmindful of its Citizens, you’re only aware of what you know exist. #DataInGovernance

A7b — A country that has varying population count — depending on the source, cannot be mindful of its People #DataInGovernance

A7c — Government simply doesn’t know how much we are and cannot plan appropriately for the people. #DataInGovernance

A7d — A Head of Govt Agency said: Nigerian women constitute I think 55% of the population in Nigeria. #DataInGovernance

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A7e — This is false and you can imagine the result if he plans on this faulty misconception. #DataInGovernance

A7f — Several of these errors are repeated every time in planning and that could be construed as being Unmindful #DataInGovernance

A7g — The starting point is a National Population Census. This can be extended to also Housing census. #DataInGovernance

A7h — That will give the Government an idea of the population and aid in planning appropriately for them. #DataInGovernance

Q8: — How can data and statistics help in Poverty alleviation in Nigeria? #DataInGovernance

A8a — It starts with knowing how many we are as a People. Then defining what Poverty means nationally & by States #DataInGovernance

A8b — This will allow for identification of the Poor & the Vulnerable and the appropriate empowerment programs #DataInGovernance

A8c — Goal 1 of the SDGs recommend implementation of a nationally appropriate social protection systems for these groups. #DataInGovernance

A8d — The key word is “Appropriate” and that comes from knowing the Poor and the Vulnerable in the Population #DataInGovernance

Q9: — How can data and statistics help in accountability and transparency? #DataInGovernance

A9a — The fight against corruption cannot be won by the Government alone. They’ve tried but the success is minimal. #DataInGovernance

A9b — Why is it difficult for Government to make Budget Data public? #DataInGovernance

A9c — It took years for NASS to make their Budget details open, many States’ budgets are still not public #DataInGovernance

A9d — Transparency and Accountability are best demonstrated through #OpenData in Government expenditures #DataInGovernance

A9e — The #ParisClubRefund has been released, an Accountable Govt would publish its plans on the use of the fund #DataInGovernance

A9f — Corruption thrives when such information are hidden. Govt need to embrace #OpenData for effective Governance #DataInGovernance

A9g — With #OpenData, where the Govt eyes cannot reach, Citizens will complement govts’ efforts in curbing corruption #DataInGovernance

Q10: — How can we include #DataInGovernance in the call for restructuring?

A10a — Restructuring is open to interpretation. If I am to suggest, I will ask for Devolution of Power to State & LGA #DataInGovernance

A10b — The FGs currently takes 52.68% of Revenue, we should turn this around to empower States & LGAs more. #DataInGovernance

A10b — We have 3 Tiers of Govt; however, allocations to LGAs are kept and controlled by State Govt #DataInGovernance

A10c — The more we empower the LGAs, the less dependence everyone will be calling on Abuja for help. #DataInGovernance

A10d — A review of the Exclusive Legislative list is due to allow some economic independence to States #DataInGovernance

Q11: — How can data and statistics help in eradicating corruption in Nigeria? #DataInGovernance

A11a — The Whistleblowing program of the Finance Ministry is fantastic. We can see the result. #DataInGovernance

A11b — It shows that if Citizens are included in the fight against corruption, the Country will be better in the long run #DataInGovernance

A11c — Provide people data on Govt expenditures, let Public Procurement be truly PUBLIC and give info on Contractors #DataInGovernance

A11d — Let Citizens have access to Data that can make them participate actively in Government. #DataInGovernance

A11e — Corruption is eating our society because Govt is still not comfortable with timely release of information. #DataInGovernance

A12f — Budget Implementation Report is very vague and lacks the required details for real evaluation. #DataInGovernance

A12g — Why is the details of the Zonal Intervention Project by NASS not public? That is N100bn unaccounted for in actual sense #DataInGovernance

A12h — Govt cannot say it is fighting corruption if it refuses to respond to inquiries on its financial expenditures #DataInGovernance

A12i — Govt Accountability and Transparency will reduce Corruption to the barest minimum if Govt embrace #OpenData #DataInGovernance

Wale Micaiah

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I write about #Education#Data #RiskManagement #InformationSecurity #Cybersecurity #DataGovernance #DataPrivacy #DataSecurity....

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