Egbewole tasks statisticians on data automation
By Abubakar Imam and Bashirat Omotosho
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged statisticians across the country to champion data automation through harmonised data collection processes in order to enhance security, good governance and national development.
Prof. Egbewole made the call last Tuesday, (July 28, 2026) while declaring open the 10th International Conference of the Professional Statisticians Society of Nigeria (PSSN), held at the University Auditorium.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Society for sustaining the Conference over the years, describing its consistency and commitment as a testament to the growing relevance of Statistics in addressing national challenges.
Speaking on the Conference theme, “Statistical Intelligence for National Security and Good Governance in a Data-Driven Economy,” the Vice Chancellor observed that the theme aptly reflects the critical role of universities as centres for knowledge creation and problem solving.
Prof. Egbewole, who is also a member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, further urged professional statisticians to take the lead in harmonising data collection processes across institutions and sectors to facilitate regular updates and improve data quality.
According to him, such harmonisation would pave the way for automated data systems where information can be seamlessly integrated, updated, and utilised for informed decision-making, thereby strengthening governance, national security, and sustainable economic development.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the National President of the PSSN, Prof. Waheed Babatunde Yahya, maintained that the Society remains committed to advancing statistical research and practice as a strategic tool for national development.
Prof. Yahya noted that in keeping with the Society’s tradition, the 10th International Conference was preceded by a pre-conference workshop on “Regularised Sufficient Dimension Reduction for High-Dimensional Data: Theory, Implementation, and Application in R” and “Design and Analysis of Parametric and Plasmode Simulation Studies in Biostatistics.”
He commended the facilitators, Dr Kabir Opeyemi Olorede of the Kwara State University, Malete; and Dr Lateef Babatunde Amusa of the University of Ilorin, for equipping participants with practical skills that will strengthen statistical research and innovation.
Prof. Yahya explained that the Conference theme, “Statistical Intelligence for National Security and Good Governance in a Data-Driven Economy,” was carefully chosen to address Nigeria’s growing security and governance challenges through the effective deployment of quality data.
He added that the Society has continued to advocate for improved national statistical systems, citing its recent memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on National Planning and Economic Development on the proposed Statistics Bill 2025.
According to him, the memorandum recommended expanding official data collection to cover critical areas such as sports and physical activities, arts and the creative economy, gender-based violence, road traffic safety, mental health, urban and peri-urban development, as well as statistics on internally displaced persons and refugees.
He expressed confidence that strengthened statistical intelligence would enhance policy formulation, national security and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The keynote speaker, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Idris Muhammed Bugaje, who was represented by Mr. Babangida Alibaba, underscored the indispensable role of statistical intelligence in promoting national security and strengthening good governance in an increasingly data-driven economy.
He explained that credible, timely, and well-managed data remain the foundation for effective policy formulation, strategic planning, and evidence-based decision-making, stressing that governments and institutions must prioritise data integrity to address emerging socio-economic and security challenges.
Also speaking, the Statistician-General of the Federation,Prince Adeyemi Semiu Adeniran, said that national security goes beyond prevention of violence.
Prince Adeniran, who was represented by Dr Anthony Andrew Ayo, said that any economic development plan that is devoid of data is useless.
He, therefore, urged stakeholders to make use of data to ensure that informed decisions are always taken.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, a former Head of the Department of Statistics, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr Dahood O. Beki, thanked the University of Ilorin for hosting the Conference.
Dr Beki, who is an alumnus of the University, also commended the quality of attendance by members of the University of Ilorin community, particularly its Principal Officers.
He explained that presentations from various speakers were quite educative and enlightening as he said that the event would remain memorable in the minds of participants who were drawn from all over the world.
The event was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Olalere Adeyemi; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla and the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, who was represented by Dr Abdulsalam.
Also in attendance were a former Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof. B. L. Adeleke; the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi; the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Admissions Committee, Prof. AbdulAzeez Muhammad-Lawal, and a Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Isiaka Alada Yahaya, who was represented by Mr Ogunrinola of the Kwara State Office of the NPC as well as some traditional rulers.
