NES partners Ogun to train public servants on policy, planning

The Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Economic Society has proposed a partnership with the state government to strengthen data-driven governance, policy implementation, and accountability through capacity-building initiatives for public servants.

NES, according to a statement made available to our Correspondent on Tuesday, said that the partnership could be in the form of a capacity-building programme for planning officers, statisticians and data analysts across the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies as part of efforts to strengthen good governance in the state

The society said the collaboration would focus on training planning officers, statisticians and data analysts across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to improve governance and support evidence-based decision-making.

The statement noted that this was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the society, led by its Chairperson, Prof. Comfort Moradeke Amire of Crawford University, to the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan, at the ministry’s headquarters in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaking during the meeting, Amire said the proposed training programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of government personnel in data analysis, planning and policy implementation.

She explained that the initiative forms part of the society’s commitment to promoting evidence-based governance and sustainable economic development in Ogun State.

“The proposed capacity-building training programme was designed to enhance the capacity of government personnel in data analysis, planning and policy implementation.

“The initiative forms part of the society’s commitment to supporting evidence-based governance and sustainable economic development in Ogun State,” she said.

Amire also disclosed plans by the society to institutionalise the annual production of a State Economic Outlook Report, strengthen programme evaluation processes and establish a knowledge hub for continuous policy research and training within the state’s MDAs.

She expressed optimism that the partnership would contribute significantly to the state’s development agenda, noting that the society possesses expertise in policy research, economic modelling and applied training.

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“The Nigerian Economic Society possesses the expertise required to support the government in policy research, economic modelling and capacity development.

“We are committed to partnering with Ogun State to achieve sustainable development and improved governance outcomes,” she added.

Responding, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, emphasised the need for a structured development agenda anchored on reliable data and empirical evidence.

“Ogun State is blessed with a high concentration of industries and tertiary institutions. We need a clear data-driven development plan,” he said.

Olabimtan pledged the state government’s support for the initiative and advocated a collaborative funding arrangement to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

He also tasked the society with developing a framework outlining how it could support the state in maximising its economic potential.

“I want the society to come up with a working document that clearly shows how it can assist the government in harnessing the full potential of the Ogun State economy,” he said.

The commissioner further proposed the convening of a multi-sector economic summit focused on data-driven solutions, strategic planning, capacity building and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, the summit would provide stakeholders with a platform to develop practical ideas and actionable strategies for the state’s economic growth and development.