The Ogun State Government and the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) are exploring a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening data-driven governance, improving policy implementation, and enhancing accountability across the state’s public sector.
The proposed collaboration would focus on capacity-building programmes for planning officers, statisticians, and data analysts working in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote evidence-based decision-making and effective governance.
The initiative was discussed during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Ogun State chapter of the NES, led by its Chairperson, Prof. Comfort Moradeke Amire of Crawford University, to the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, at the ministry’s headquarters in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
According to a statement issued by the society on Tuesday, the proposed training programme is designed to equip government personnel with advanced skills in data analysis, planning, and policy implementation to support better governance outcomes.
Speaking during the meeting, Amire said the initiative reflects the society’s commitment to advancing evidence-based governance and sustainable economic development in Ogun State.
She noted that strengthening the capacity of public servants in key areas of planning and data management would improve policy formulation and execution while enhancing accountability in government operations.
Amire also revealed that the society plans to institutionalise the annual production of a state economic outlook report, improve programme evaluation mechanisms, and establish a knowledge hub dedicated to policy research and continuous professional development for personnel across the state’s MDAs.
She expressed confidence that the collaboration would significantly contribute to Ogun State’s development agenda, stressing that the Nigerian Economic Society possesses the expertise required in policy research, economic modelling, and capacity development.
According to her, the society remains committed to supporting the state government in achieving sustainable growth and improved governance through research-driven solutions and technical support.
Responding, Commissioner for Budget and Planning Olaolu Olabimtan underscored the importance of a structured development strategy anchored on credible data and empirical evidence.
He described Ogun as a state with considerable economic advantages, citing its concentration of industries and tertiary institutions, and stressed the need for a comprehensive data-driven development framework to maximise these opportunities.
Olabimtan welcomed the proposed partnership and pledged the state government’s support for the initiative. He also advocated a collaborative funding model to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
The commissioner further urged the society to develop a detailed framework outlining how it could assist the government in unlocking the full potential of the state’s economy.
In addition, he proposed the organisation of a multi-sector economic summit that would bring together key stakeholders to discuss data-driven solutions, strategic planning, capacity building, and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, such a summit would provide a platform for generating practical ideas and actionable strategies capable of accelerating Ogun State’s economic growth and development.
