In a bid to enhance capacity building, promote accurate data collection and economic planning in Ogun State, the State Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, has organised a five-day training programme.

The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, while declaring the workshop open at the National Bureau of Statistics Training Hall, Federal Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta., emphasised the significance of calculating a State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Olabimtan pointed out that the training would equip participants with the skills to calculate Ogun State's GDP reliably, thereby enhancing accurate economic planning for informed decision-making and sustainable development, to further establish the State as a hub for industry and commerce.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Dada, the Commissioner added that the nationwide initiative would enable all 36 states to calculate their GDP accurately, promote economic growth and development across Nigeria, submitting that accurate GDP data helps policymakers make informed decisions about investments, resource allocation and development priorities.

He revealed that by identifying areas of economic growth and decline, states can target interventions to reduce poverty and inequality, adding that the GDP data informs infrastructure development priorities, while ensuring that investments in transportation, energy and other critical sectors support economic growth.

"A state's GDP growth rate and overall economic performance can attract investors, businesses and talent, foster economic growth and development, while GDP data will also help states allocate resources more effectively, prioritizing sectors and projects that contribute most to economic growth", he said.

On his part, the State Statistician-General (SG), Mr. Michael Ajayi, submitted that the collaboration was particularly beneficial for the State, as it would improve its economic planning and development, highlighting the significance of the training, given Nigeria's recent economic growth.

The SG, who pointed out that regular GDP calculations would help states monitor their economic progress, track the impact of policies and adjust strategies as needed, explained that GDP data informs fiscal policy decisions, such as taxation, spending, borrowing and ensuring that budget allocations align with economic priorities, saying accurate data calculation and analysis were crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable development.

One of the facilitators from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Mr. Adetunji Ademola, while shedding light on the methods to be adopted for data collection, revealed that the survey would encompass various sectors, including crop production, livestock, food beverages and tobacco, trading, as well as accommodation of food services.

He explained that the training would in two level with the first level comprising the training of trainers, including 74 trainers/monitors and 12 coordinators, while the second level would focus on training field workers, which would include interviewers, state officers, zonal controllers, and trainers.

Representatives from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Affairs (MBAS), Mr. Kehinde Oyetayo and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Mr. Rasaki, in their separate remarks, expressed appreciation for the training programme and commended both the Federal and State governments for the initiative, while emphasising the importance of implementing the results of the processed data, as well as publishing the findings to disseminate information to the masses.