By Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has organised a one-day stakeholders’ validation workshop on the General Household Survey (GHS).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening evidence-based governance, improving policy formulation, and enhancing effective service delivery across the state.
The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Malam Malik Anas, declared the workshop open on Thursday in Katsina.
Anas described the engagement as a critical milestone in ensuring the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of data that will guide development planning.
Represented by the Director of Planning in the ministry, Abdulrahman Jibril, the commissioner noted that the validation process underscores the state government’s commitment to using verified and dependable data to drive socio-economic progress and improve the well-being of citizens.
He commended Governor Dikko Radda for his unwavering dedication to strengthening data systems and promoting informed decision-making.
According to him, the administration has continued to demonstrate strong leadership by supporting initiatives that advance development and improve living standards.
The commissioner also praised the State Statistician-General, Prof. Saifullahi Sani, for his role in repositioning Katsina as a data-driven state, adding that the efforts have ensured the availability of reliable data for planning and governance.
He further expressed appreciation to development partners, particularly UNICEF, for their sustained technical and financial support across key sectors in the state.
He explained that the validation exercise provides stakeholders with the opportunity to critically review the survey findings, share insights, and ensure that the data accurately reflects the realities of households in Katsina communities.
In his remarks, the Statistician-General, Prof. Saifullahi Sani, underscored the critical role of accurate and comprehensive data in addressing multi-dimensional deprivation and improving social interventions across the state.
He highlighted key indicators affecting children and households, including health, education, and economic conditions, stressing that reliable baseline data remains essential for effective planning and development.
He noted that the GHS, alongside internationally recognised metrics, provides a vital framework for understanding realities on the ground.
According to him, such data offers a holistic picture of the state’s socio-economic conditions and supports evidence-based decision-making.
He added that the state government has continued to prioritise the generation of multi-sectoral data with strong backing from the governor.
Earlier, the Emergency Manager, UNICEF Nigeria, Dorica Tasuzgika-Phiri, described the validation as more than a routine exercise, saying, “It is a defining moment for evidence-driven governance.”
Tasuzgika-Phiri stressed that credible, timely, and disaggregated data remains the backbone of meaningful development, especially for children and vulnerable communities.
She highlighted the pressing realities facing the state, ranging from economic strain to insecurity and widespread deprivation among women and children, noting that such challenges demand decisions rooted firmly in evidence.
According to her, the survey findings are not optional tools but essential guides that will help direct scarce resources to where they are needed most, ensuring that policies and interventions reach those at the margins.
She added that for UNICEF, the data serves as a powerful instrument for advocacy, planning, and tracking progress toward improved outcomes for children.