Dr Olushola Odusanya, Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), says the agency is at the forefront of promoting data-driven policies through Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) data management in the country.
Odusanya stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He explained that the agency plays a critical role in helping government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) formulate and implement policies based on reliable data and scientific evidence.
“We are the think tank of Nigeria, and we examine laws that become policies, and we try to understand them by conducting research on them.
“We analyse them, identifying gaps and impacts, and we try to create opportunities to bridge those gaps,” he said.
According to him, NACETEM has a strong research base comprising over 100 professionals who continuously collect and analyse data to inform decision-making across different sectors.
The NACETEM boss said that the agency’s work had extended to producing STI Indicators, which provide policymakers with critical insights into national development trends and challenges.
Odusanya also highlighted the agency’s efforts in human capacity development, particularly in enhancing digital literacy among public servants.
“We recognise that many public servants lack basic digital literacy, so we have embarked on a program to provide basic digital training.
“When adopting data, statistics becomes important, so we have a suite of statistical data programs where we train people to bridge that gap,” he said.
Odusanya added that NACETEM had digitised most of its training programmes through its online academy to increase accessibility and reach.
The director-general reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transition toward a knowledge-driven economy through research, training, and policy advisory services
