Benue State Bureau of Statistics

BSBS ENGAGES RESEARCH TO STRENGTHEN EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR MAKURDI’S URBAN MOBILITY

The Benue State Bureau of Statistics (BSBS) has reinforced its role as a strategic data authority by engaging with innovative research tackling Makurdi's urban mobility challenges.

The Statistician General/CEO, Kumafan Dzaan, alongside senior staff, received Mr. Nwafor Okechukwu Emmanuel, a PhD researcher, and his associate, Mr. Edache. Mr. Nwafor presented his study, Public Transportation in Transition: Evidence from a Multidimensional Assessment of Makurdi’s Mobility Challenges.

The research highlights key gaps in Makurdi's transport system, where informal networks dominate daily commuting. BSBS affirmed its alignment with urban planning, infrastructure investment, and state policy priorities.

Mr. Dzaan commended the work's potential and provided critical guidance on methodological rigor, disaggregated data analysis, and adherence to national/international statistical standards. He stressed that policy-influencing research demands credible data, robust methods, and practical relevance. Staff offered targeted inputs to enhance analytical depth and applicability.

Mr. Nwafor expressed deep gratitude for the feedback and committed to incorporating all recommendations.

In closing, Director of Administration and Finance, Iorember Timothy Tersoo, praised the leadership and reiterated BSBS's open-door policy for partnerships. The Bureau will continue supporting the study to advance evidence-based decision-making in Benue State.

EVERY WARD COUNTS: COMMUNITY MAPPING REACHES USHONGO

In Lessel, the work continued.

The Benue State Bureau of Statistics brought its Community Mapping Data Collection Exercise to Ushongo Local Government Area on Thursday, April 2, 2026, the third stop in a systematic journey across all 23 local government areas of Benue State. What began in Gwer West and gathered momentum through Tarka, has now taken root in Ushongo - each expansion carrying the same conviction: that no community should be invisible to the government that is meant to serve it.

The engagement at Lessel was hosted by the Executive Chairman of Ushongo LGA, Hon. Terkimbi Adzu, whose logistical commitment made the exercise possible. The BSBS delegation, led by State Statistician General Kumafan Dzaan and his technical team, was received by His Royal Highness, the Ter Ushongo, and members of the Traditional Council representing all eleven Council Wards. What followed was not a briefing. It was a conversation.

The Ter Ushongo spoke with a directness that defined the session. He called on his Council to ensure that what they report reflects what is actually true within their communities - not what is hoped for, not what is politically convenient, but what is real. That is precisely the standard the Bureau brings to this work. Credible data begins with honest witnesses, and in Ushongo the Bureau found them.

The Statistician General reminded participants that geo-referenced, community-level data is not a bureaucratic exercise. It is the foundation upon which government decides where a clinic is built, where a road is extended, where an intervention lands. The integrity of that foundation rests entirely on the accuracy of what communities report.

When the Executive Chairman received the data collection instruments and placed them formally in the hands of the Ter Ushongo for distribution across the wards, something important was enacted. Responsibility for Benue's evidence base passed rightly into the hands of the communities it exists to serve.

The mapping continues.

BENUE STATE BUREAU OF STATISTICS EXPANDS COMMUNITY MAPPING EXERCISE TO TARKA LGA IN PUSH FOR EVIDENCE-BASED DEVELOPMENT

The Benue State Bureau of Statistics has extended its Community Mapping exercise to Tarka Local Government Area, following the successful completion of a pilot in Gwer West LGA. The formal launch took place at the Tarka Traditional Council in Wannune, marking a significant milestone in the state's drive towards data-led governance.

Presenting the structured questionnaire that will guide data collection across the area, the Statistician General/CEO of the Bureau, Kumafan Dzaan, underscored the strategic importance of the initiative. He noted that credible, community-level data is the foundation upon which effective policy is built, and that the exercise reflects a straightforward governing principle: you cannot plan what you cannot measure. The Community Mapping programme, he emphasized, is designed to ensure that every decision taken by government is anchored in verified, on-the-ground reality rather than assumption.

The Executive Governor of Benue State Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose administration conceived and championed the initiative, has consistently positioned evidence-based planning as a cornerstone of his development agenda for Benue State.

The Executive Chairman of Tarka Local Government Council, Hon. Raphael Yenge, welcomed the exercise warmly and spoke directly to the traditional rulers in attendance, urging them to encourage their subjects to engage honestly with the questionnaire. He gave an unequivocal commitment that the local government would provide full logistical support to see the exercise completed within schedule.

Pioneer Chairman of Tarka Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Iortyer, echoed this position and called on community members to embrace the exercise as a genuine opportunity to shape the development story of their communities.

In a show of collective resolve, all Third and Fourth Class Chiefs across the LGA pledged their full cooperation and committed to mobilizing their communities behind the exercise.

BENUE STATE LAUNCHES NOVEL COMMUNITY DATA DRIVE TO POWER DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

In a decisive move to ensure development planning is directly informed by accurate local realities, the Benue State Bureau of Statistics (BSBS), under the directive of His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, PhD, has commenced a landmark Community Mapping Data Collection Exercise across all communities. This initiative, designed to generate precise data on community resources, infrastructure, and service gaps, will begin with a pilot phase in Gwer West Local Government Area today, January 15, 2026.

This comprehensive, statewide exercise will systematically capture vital information from every community to serve as a critical evidence base for equitable resource allocation, targeted interventions, and improved service delivery at the grassroots level.

The mapping will document a wide range of key facilities and services, including markets, access roads, agricultural resources, health centres, educational institutions, security infrastructure, telecommunications access, financial services, environmental assets, and the presence of social protection programmes.

The Statistician-General and CEO of the BSBS, Kumafan Dzaan, announced that the exercise employs a Citizen-Driven Data Collection methodology, guided and coordinated by trained BSBS staff, with strategic stakeholder engagement sessions. Traditional rulers will play a leading role as custodians of community knowledge, ensuring the information gathered is authentic and grounded in the local context.

Mr. Dzaan emphasised that the programme’s success is fundamentally tied to the active collaboration of all community stakeholders. He called on Local Government Chairmen, traditional institutions, religious leaders, women and youth leaders, and all residents to cooperate fully with the BSBS enumerators by providing accurate information and necessary support. “The accuracy of our community maps, and therefore the effectiveness of the State’s subsequent development projects, relies entirely on this collaboration”, he said.

All data collected will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for statistical analysis and developmental planning. Following the pilot in Gwer West, the exercise will be rolled out across all Local Government Areas. The compiled data will form a vital public resource to guide government action and informed decision-making for years to come.

THE 2026 CONSOLIDATION AGENDA: BUILDING A MODERN, FIT-FOR-PURPOSE STATISTICAL SYSTEM FOR BENUE STATE.


A government that governs well is a government that governs with evidence. Statistics is therefore not a peripheral function of governance; it is its very foundation. Reliable and timely data enable visibility, accountability, inclusion, and informed decision-making. It is within this understanding that our mandate and policy direction must be situated.

Following the enactment of the Benue State Statistical Law and a period of transition, the Bureau commenced full operations, with 2024-2025 being our foundational phase. The year 2026 is deliberately and strategically positioned as our year of consolidation.

This year, we move decisively from institutional emergence to institutional strength. We will deepen our roots, strengthen our systems, and translate vision into measurable outcomes. To achieve this consolidation, we have identified three strategic priorities that will define our work and guide our investments throughout 2026.

Our policy direction is anchored on the modernization of our official statistics, the institutionalization of community-responsive data systems, and the active cultivation of a sustainable data culture across Benue State.

First Priority: Modernizing Official Statistics

The modernization of our official statistics remains our cornerstone. In practical terms, this means integrating administrative data across Ministries, Departments and Agenciesn (MDAs), adopting digital-first production processes, and building interoperable systems that allow different platforms to communicate seamlessly for timely analysis and dissemination.

Our tangible target for 2026 is a 40 percent reduction in the time taken to produce key sectoral reports, including our bulletins, annual education statistics, and agricultural production reports. We will achieve this by onboarding three priority MDAs onto our centralized digital infrastructure for real-time data exchange and aligning all processes with national and international best practices. This will strengthen the credibility, timeliness, and comparability of every statistic we publish.

Second Priority: Extending the Statistical System to the Grassroots

We must extend the State Statistical System beyond the capital to the communities where development is meant to be experienced daily. Our Local Government Areas and frontline service providers, including health centers, schools, and agricultural extension offices, are not merely data sources; they are essential partners in a responsive information ecosystem.

This year, we will establish functional data units in five pilot Local Government Areas with specific targets for citizen engagement exceeding 10,000 individuals through community partnerships and digital platforms. These units will be equipped with basic digital tools and trained personnel capable of collecting, validating, and transmitting data in real time. We will deepen collaboration with Local Governments and community-based organizations to ensure local realities – in agriculture, education, or public health – are accurately captured and quickly acted upon.

This is how we strengthen planning and service delivery where it matters most. Imagine a health officer in Gboko with real-time information on disease incidence; they can deploy vaccines precisely where they are needed, saving lives. Or consider an agricultural extension officer in Otukpo receiving weekly data on rainfall patterns and crop performance; they can advise farmers on optimal planting times, protecting livelihoods. That is the power of localized, timely information.

Third Priority: Building a Data-Literate Society

A robust statistical system cannot be built on supply alone – it requires demand. Our third priority is therefore citizen engagement and the cultivation of a data culture. We will stimulate this demand through statistical literacy programs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, and create structured channels for citizen-contributed data through mobile platforms and community feedback mechanisms.

We aim to empower every citizen to understand and use evidence, building a culture where information guides public discourse, business decisions, and personal planning. When citizens can interpret statistics, they become more effective advocates for their own development. Through these combined efforts, we will directly engage over 10,000 citizens in 2026, entrenching evidence-based thinking at every level of society.

Flagship Initiatives: Translating Vision into Action

To bring these priorities to life, the Bureau will deploy four flagship initiatives designed as direct policy instruments.

Supporting our first and second priorities, the Community Data Mapping Project will establish baseline socio-economic profiles for pilot Local Government Areas, ensuring local planning is evidence-based. The Integrated Agricultural Data System will provide real-time information on production, prices, and market access, directly supporting farmers and policymakers.

Further supporting our second priority, the Health Surveillance Data System will enable disease tracking and resource allocation at the community level, while the Education Surveillance Data System will monitor enrollment, attendance, and learning outcomes across all Local Government Areas.

These initiatives will begin phased rollout in the second quarter of this year. Each reflects global best practices in data collection and management, carefully tailored to the specific development realities and resource constraints of Benue State.

Alignment with State Development Vision

This work aligns fully with the vision of His Excellency, Reverend Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to every Benue citizen. Effective development requires accurate diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and objective evaluation. Statistics provides this essential infrastructure, ensuring public investments deliver maximum value for our people and that progress can be measured, celebrated, and sustained.

A Call for Collective Commitment

The realization of this agenda requires a collective commitment from all stakeholders. We will partner with all MDAs to institutionalize data-sharing protocols and embed evidence in their core planning cycles. We will work with Local Government Authorities to build resilient community data systems and ensure information flows both upward and downward.

We call on civil society, academia, and the private sector to actively engage in the production, use, and dissemination of official statistics. Your insights, your research, and your feedback make our work sharper and more relevant. We also reaffirm our commitment to deepening collaboration within the Nigerian Statistical System and with our international partners, learning from best practices while contributing our own innovations.

Conclusion

In 2026, the Benue State Bureau of Statistics is firmly committed to delivering reliable, timely, and relevant data in the service of good governance, inclusive development, and shared prosperity.

Through evidence, collaboration, and innovation, we will build a data-driven Benue State that works for all its people, from Makurdi to the most remote village, from the farmer in the field to the policymaker in the chamber.

Statistics is not merely about numbers. It is about visibility for the invisible, voice for the voiceless, and direction for those who lead. It is about ensuring that every decision we make as a state is rooted in the reality of our people's lives.

Together, let us build the evidence that builds a better Benue!

Kumafan Dzaan
Benue State Statistician-General
CEO, Benue State Bureau of Statistics

A NEW ERA FOR NIGERIAN STATISTICS: THE NSDS LAUNCH AND THE STRATEGIC ELEVATION OF STATE BUREAUS OF STATISTICS

The launch of Nigeria's National Strategy for the Development of Statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria marks a defining and transformative moment for modernizing the country's statistical system. Officially unveiled on Monday, 15 December 2025, the NSDS provides a clear strategic blueprint for building a robust, integrated, and credible National Statistical System.

The strategy is a decisive shift for State Bureaus of Statistics from fragmented data producers to centrally recognized drivers of evidence-based governance at the sub-national level. This institutional elevation was further underscored at the 2nd National Consultative Committee on Statistics meeting in Port Harcourt, which highlighted landmark achievements like the institutionalization of State GDP.

For the Benue State Bureau of Statistics, the NSDS is both a national endorsement and a call to action. It formally recognizes State Bureaus as the backbone of local data production and aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality, timely, and relevant statistics for Benue's development planning.

To operationalize this framework, we are establishing an NSDS Implementation Task Force and conduct comprehensive capacity assessments to identify gaps in human resources, technical infrastructure, and institutional processes. Our stakeholder engagement strategy will create structured collaboration mechanisms with the State Government, MDAs, local governments, academia, CSOs, and development partners.

We are prioritizing staff capacity development in modern statistical methods, data analytics, and digital tools through partnerships with NBS, academic institutions, and development organizations. Accelerating our digital transformation through upgraded ICT infrastructure and cloud-based systems remains essential for meeting national harmonization standards.

We aspire to position Benue as a regional statistical hub, particularly in agricultural statistics. We will enhance data accessibility through user-friendly visualization, regular bulletins, and proactive dissemination to policymakers. Strategic partnerships with universities, private sector, and international organizations will support capacity building and resource mobilization.

However, strategy must translate into sustained action. We call on all stakeholders to actively support the NSDS with necessary political backing, investment, and engagement. Modernizing official statistics is foundational to development, accountability, and public trust. The future of evidence-based governance in Nigeria is being built, and Benue State is poised to contribute powerfully as an active partner in this national agenda.

BENUE STATE BUREAU OF STATISTICS PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL PROTECTION STATISTICS

The Benue State Bureau of Statistics (BSBS) was proud to represent the forefront of sub-national agencies at the crucial national workshop on Social Protection Statistics, convened by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This pivotal gathering focused on strengthening data systems across Nigeria to ensure effective delivery of social protection programs to those who need them most.

Benue State's delegation actively engaged in sessions on data infrastructure modernization, registry harmonization, and best practices in social protection statistics. The Bureau’s participation underscores the State's unwavering commitment to excellence in data management and evidence-based governance.

This engagement aligns perfectly with our ongoing commitment to strengthening Benue State's Social Protection Repository. Given our state's unique vulnerabilities and the critical need to support our rural and urban poor populations, a robust and reliable data system is not just beneficial, it is essential. Quality data is the cornerstone for targeted interventions, evidence-based policy formulation, and enhanced national visibility for Benue State's social protection efforts.

Strategic Objectives

Our enhanced data infrastructure will ensure:

Targeted Aid: Social benefits reach the most vulnerable households defined through multidimensional poverty indices including income levels, access to basic services, and household composition accurately and efficiently.

Evidence-Based Policy: Government is enabled to design and fund programs based on concrete data rather than estimates, ensuring optimal resource allocation and impact.

National Visibility: Benue's progress is accurately captured in the national picture, ensuring our people are represented when Nigeria's social protection story is told.

Expected Outcomes

Over the next 18 months, BSBS aims to achieve significant milestones in strengthening the state's social protection data ecosystem. These include registering and profiling at least 150,000 vulnerable households in our state database, enhancing data coverage across all 23 Local Government Areas by 40%, reducing targeting errors in social benefit programs by 25%, and establishing real-time monitoring systems for social protection interventions. These ambitious targets reflect our determination to build a world-class social protection infrastructure that leaves no vulnerable citizen behind.

Collaborative Framework

We especially recognize the value of the SUSI Project (Strengthening and Utilizing Social Investment) in providing the technical backbone for this data revolution. As one of four pilot states alongside Sokoto, Abia, and Oyo, Benue is committed to collaborative learning and knowledge exchange with our fellow pilot states to maximize the impact of this initiative.

The Bureau extends its gratitude to the NBS, and all development partners including the World Bank, UNICEF, and other technical assistance providers for this collaborative stride towards a data-driven future for social protection in Nigeria.

Implementation Roadmap

Following this workshop, BSBS will undertake the following immediate actions:
1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of our current Social Protection Registry infrastructure
2. Organize capacity-building sessions for data collection officers across all LGAs
3. Establish coordination mechanisms with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Benue State Planning Commision, and other relevant MDAs
4. Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy to involve civil society organizations and community-based groups in data validation processes

Commitment to Excellence

BSBS is committed to leveraging these insights to build a best-in-class social protection repository for the people of Benue State. We invite all stakeholders, government agencies, civil society organizations, community leaders, and development partners, to join us in building a comprehensive and reliable social protection data ecosystem. Your collaboration is essential to ensuring no vulnerable household is left behind.

FORGING A DATA-DRIVEN PATH TO DURABLE SOLUTIONS: OUR STRATEGY AND CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP

The Benue State Task Force on Durable Solutions has concluded a five-day Action-Oriented Workshop on the Benue State Durable Solutions Action Plan (B-SAP), organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

During the workshop, the Benue State Statistician General and Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Bureau of Statistics (BSBS), Kumafan Dzaan, delivered a presentation on the strategic role of data in achieving durable solutions. The presentation emphasized the centrality of data in shaping policy, driving coordination, and ensuring sustainable outcomes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

As the state moves forward with implementing the B-SAP, the BSBS is positioned to provide the evidence base required to translate the Action Plan into measurable and lasting results. To this end, the Bureau has outlined four key strategic pillars.

First, championing a unified data framework through the co-creation and adoption of a harmonized data framework aligned with international standards but tailored to the Benue context. Second, generating actionable and ethical data by ensuring the collection and analysis of high-quality, disaggregated, and ethically sourced data, supported by community feedback mechanisms. Third, serving as the central monitoring hub by tracking progress across all eight IASC criteria and launching a public B-SAP Progress Dashboard within twelve months. Fourth, driving data utilization by promoting evidence-based decision-making through periodic policy briefs and quarterly review sessions with state leadership.

The BSBS calls upon all partners, including government MDAs, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, to support the B-SAP Data Technical Working Group, align resources, and commit to evidence-based implementation.

Together, we can ensure that every intervention is data-informed, every success measurable, and every citizen's journey toward durable solutions is supported.

Happy World Statistics Day 2025!

Today, October 20, 2025, we celebrate the fourth World Statistics Day, themed "Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone." As highlighted by the United Nations, this day underscores the vital role of official statistics in fostering global progress, innovation, and accessible data for sustainable development.

At the Benue State Bureau of Statistics (BSBS), we are proud to be at the forefront of this mission in Nigeria's leading agricultural state, the Food Basket of the Nation. Under the visionary leadership of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and guided by our Statistician-General/CEO, Kumafan Dzaan, BSBS continues to champion evidence-based policymaking through high-quality data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

Reflecting on our recent efforts

• We've advanced Subnational Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) computations in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the World Bank, enhancing economic planning and inflation monitoring. This means better insights into food prices, agricultural productivity, and economic opportunities that affect every Benue resident.

• Our participation in key events, including ISI World Statistics Congresses, the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria conference, several UNECE International Workshops, UNDP-IOM-IDMC workshops, as well as several National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)-led national events, has strengthened our expertise in big data ecosystems, geospatial analysis, and data-driven solutions for internal displacement

• The establishment of the Benue State Data Repository in 2023 serves as a single source of truth, promoting real-time accessibility, standardization, and ethical data management across sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and revenue generation. This pioneering platform enables researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to access reliable data that drives informed decision-making.

These initiatives align perfectly with the global call to make quality data available to everyone, driving transparency, accountability, and equitable growth in Benue State.

Let's harness the power of statistics to build a brighter future. How can quality data transform development in your community? Share your thoughts below or connect with us for potential collaborations.

With support from Benue State Government, together we can drive meaningful change through data.

BENUE STATE BUREAU OF STATISTICS ADVOCATES COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO STRENGTHENING NIGERIA'S STATISTICAL SYSTEM AT ISI WORLD STATISTICS CONGRESS 2025

The Hague, Netherlands — October 8, 2025

Kumafan Dzaan, Statistician-General/CEO of the Benue State Bureau of Statistics, presented a landmark paper at the ISI World Statistics Congress 2025 titled "The Evolving Role of Sub-National Statistics Offices in Promoting Good Governance in Nigeria: A Case Study of Benue State."

The presentation established that Nigeria's National Statistical System effectiveness depends fundamentally on State Statistical Offices' capacity and functionality. Mr. Dzaan emphasized that in the federal context, statistical development flourishes through collaborative partnerships rather than hierarchical arrangements between national and subnational institutions.

The paper positioned official statistics as both a public good and a cornerstone of democratic governance, demonstrating that subnational offices with adequate resources, autonomy, and technical capacity significantly enhance evidence-based policymaking, transparency, and public accountability.

Mr. Dzaan outlined five strategic recommendations for advancing Nigeria's statistical system. First, establishing sustainable financing mechanisms through performance-based matching grant schemes that recognize excellence while building capacity across all states. Second, strengthening political commitment at both federal and state levels, translating into legislative backing, budgetary prioritization, and recognition of statistical offices as critical governance infrastructure for successful NSDS implementation.

Third, formalizing collaborative governance structures by establishing a National Statistical Council bringing together the National Bureau of Statistics and State Statistical Offices as equal partners in co-creating standards, policies, and implementation strategies. Fourth, developing integrated data infrastructure through interoperable systems enabling seamless data exchange, standardization, and real-time accessibility. Fifth, strengthening practical academic partnerships through embedded fellowship programs linking universities with State Statistical Offices on priority projects, modernizing statistical training in geospatial analysis and data science.

Mr. Dzaan expressed appreciation to Governor Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for his support to the Bureau, which has provided us the platform to contribute meaningfully to national and international discourse on statistical development. "This recognition at the global stage reflects his administration's dedication to strengthening institutional capacity for better service delivery," he stated.

The presentation concluded that empowered State Statistical Offices constitute the essential foundation for successful NSDS implementation and achieving a robust National Statistical System.