Lagos State says it is taking a major step toward data-driven governance with plans to launch a centralised digital data hub by the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Lagos Bureau of Statistics (LBS).
The new platform aims to eliminate data duplication, improve transparency, and support access to grants and job creation by strengthening the integrity and accuracy of data used in policy-making and service delivery across the state.
The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement on data management organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget through LBS for Data Managers across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa-Ikeja, the one-day workshop focuses on empowering grassroots data officers with tools for evidence-based planning and standardised data collection frameworks.
Speaking on behalf of Olayinka Ojo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alao Akinkunmi, Director of Economic Intelligence, says that quality data remains a critical pillar in governance:
“Accurate and timely data is crucial in governance, service delivery, and policy formulation,” Akinkunmi says, stressing the Ministry’s commitment to “harmonising grassroots data collection systems and fostering inter-agency collaboration for a more accountable, data-driven Lagos.”
Bashir Oseni-Ope, Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, highlights the goal of enhancing the capacity of data officers across LGAs and LCDAs to ensure reliable, unified data systems:
“The quality of data determines the quality of decisions made. We must strengthen collaboration and build robust systems across all tiers of government,” he says.
Participants at the workshop examined region-specific challenges faced across Lagos’ five administrative divisions: Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe and Badagry. Concerns raised include low technical capacity, inadequate manpower, political interference, and poor staff motivation in council-level data operations.
Proposed solutions include:
- Accelerated digitalisation of data systems
- Increased funding for data infrastructure
- Staff training and capacity building
- Inclusive stakeholder collaboration
Technical sessions also introduce participants to the revised socio-economic data template, standardised classification tools, validation protocols, and digital transformation strategies aligned with the state’s development goals.
Esther Peter, Deputy Director of Support Services at LBS, commends participants for their commitment to advancing data-driven governance. She calls for continued partnerships to build a transparent and inclusive digital data ecosystem in Lagos.
“Shared responsibility is key to achieving a data-informed Lagos,” she says.
With the digital data hub’s full rollout targeted for Q4 2025, Lagos State government says it is positioning itself as a national leader in open governance, evidence-based planning, and technology-led public sector transformation.
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