Yobe HCD-DD, Lafiya UK Project Train Stakeholders on Data-Driven Decision Making
By Ahmed I. Abba
Yobe State Human Capital Development–Demographic Dividend (HCD-DD) Secretariat with support from Lafiya UK Project has commenced a five-day capacity-building workshop on Sunday September 14, 2025 in Jigawa state, to strengthen the use of demographic data for evidence-based planning and decision-making.
The training, which brings together representatives from key government institutions, civil society, and the media, aims to catalyze the use of reliable demographic data in tracking progress toward the Demographic Dividend (DD) Roadmap.
The workshop is strategically engaging with the Yobe State Bureau of Statistics, the National Population Commission (NPopC), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to improve access to datasets at state and national levels.
Speaking at the opening session, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed Jawa, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of HCD-DD, emphasized the importance of the training in building a culture of evidence-based governance.
“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to this important workshop on how to access, validate, and utilize data for actions with a particular focus on Yobe State’s context and the broader goal of human capital development and demographic dividends. Our state is blessed with a large, youthful population, and it is imperative that we harness this potential for development,” Jawa stated.
He noted that the forum was timely and critical, adding that effective planning and decision-making for human capital development could not be achieved without a strong understanding of the data landscape.
The objectives of the workshop include strengthening collaboration between state and national data institutions, enhancing the capacity of Departments of Planning, Research and Statistics units to track DD-related indicators, and institutionalizing data-driven approaches within the HCD-DD framework.
Participants were drawn from the Yobe State House of Assembly, National Population Commission, civil society organisations, the State Ministry of Wealth Creation, the State Primary Healthcare Board, Ministries of Health, Education, Women Affairs, and Budget and Economic Planning.
Also in attendance were representatives of the national and state bureaus of statistics, the National Commission for Out-of-School Children Education, the media, and members of the HCD-DD.
The training is expected to equip stakeholders with the skills and tools needed to access, validate, and apply demographic data for improved policy formulation and development outcomes in Yobe State.
