The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), has reaffirmed its commitment to data-driven governance by hosting a Data Validation and Data Collection System Review Workshop. The training, held on Tuesday at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, was organised by the Lagos Bureau of Statistics (LBS) to enhance administrative data quality and promote the use of technology in policy planning and implementation.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary of MEPB, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, warmly welcomed stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), commending their commitment to strengthening data practices. She emphasised that accurate and reliable data remain the bedrock of effective decision-making, efficient service delivery, and public trust in governance.
According to her, deploying the eko360 Data Collection App by the Bureau is a major step toward automating and digitalising the State’s data management system in alignment with the SMARTER Lagos vision. Now rolled out across all Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG) sectors, the app simplifies and secures the data collection process, ensures timely reporting, and enhances collaboration among MDAs.
“Data goes beyond numbers – it forms the backbone of governance and informed decision-making. Its integrity and accuracy are not optional; they are essential,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Bashiru Temitayo Oseni-Ope, reaffirmed the Bureau’s mission to ensure comprehensive data validation across all government commissions and to develop a robust manpower database for strategic planning.
Mr. Lawal Rasheed, Head of the Databank Division at the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, also urged participants to view eko360 as a benchmark for ensuring the availability, security, and integrity of Lagos-specific data.
The facilitators, who are well-versed in their fields, guided participants through the core principles of data validation.
Mrs. Bhadmus Opeyemi delivered a comprehensive session on the six pillars of data quality: Accuracy, Consistency, Timeliness, Integrity, Completeness, and Validity. Mr. Opeifa Lukman led a live demonstration of the eko360 platform, illustrating how data collectors and validators interact with the system in real-time.
This was followed by a presentation from Mr. Olusanya Olaoluwa, who showcased the sector-specific dashboards used for data validation across participating MDAs. Mrs. Oni Olubunmi provided a practical guide to developing and using data dictionaries to standardise reporting and eliminate inconsistencies across government units.
Participants were actively engaged in a series of technical and hands-on sessions focused on strengthening data quality, standardisation, and digital tools. These included a group breakout session and an interactive Kahoot Quiz Challenge, which added a participatory flair to the day. Top performers – Adekola Adewusi, Segun Damilare, and Adegoke Ridwanullahi – were recognised for their outstanding engagement.
Directors from the Planning Unit and Economic Planning Department also addressed participants, emphasising the importance of rigorous data verification and quality assessment, especially as Lagos State prepares for a data-backed 2026 budget.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to strengthen data practices within their respective MDAs. Attendees pledged to promote transparency, foster inter-agency collaboration, and embed a culture of evidence-based decision-making to support the State’s development agenda.