Dearth of data challenge to fight against corruption, meaningful progress – ACAN Provost
ACAN Provost, Professor Olatunde Babawale delivers his address at the workshop
By Anthony Maliki, Samuel Torlumun, Keffi
The Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Professor Olatunde Babawale has expressed dismay over the dearth of data which has become a challenge to meaningful progress of any endeavour.
“If you don’t have data, you go wrong in every score,” he said.
The provost made the remarks at opening of a 3-day workshop on “Data collection skills for corruption prevention for MDAs” at the Academy in Keffi on Tuesday.
The workshop is mainly for staff of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) of MDAs.
Participants stand for the National Anthem during the opening formalities
ACAN is the research and training arm of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He made particular reference to lack of data in the anti-corruption space noting that it is rarely available, especially due to the clandestine nature of the crime.
According to him, even where data are available, collecting such data to advance the course of anti-corruption particularly in the area of prevention requires some skills.
Professor Babawale told participants that getting familiar and equipped with skills to collect data on corruption in order to aid its prevention is the main reason of the gathering.
The provost explained that data speaks to facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis and provides empirical evidence on a subject area and helps to either corroborate or dismiss insinuations and speculations.
He made copious references to Nigeria’s oil industry noting that absence of data can be responsible for the corruption in the sector.
The provost explained that nobody knows the quantity of crude produced in Nigeria even when N250million was budgeted in the 2023 estimates for a consultant find out, it could still not be ascertained.
“Undeniably, for the war against corruption to be fought and won in all MDAs on a sustainable basis, all hands must be on deck,” he said.
He told participants that as allies in the war against corruption, it is believed that members of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in various MDAs needed to be on the same page with the ICPC.
