Ibadan: The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has initiated the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 7). The survey aims to generate quality data to guide policy decisions concerning the rights of children and women.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, MICS is a government-owned, NBS-led flagship household survey, internationally coordinated by UNICEF since its inception in 1995. At the event in Ibadan, Mr. Adeniran Adeyemi, the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of NBS, emphasized that MICS 7 would adhere to international statistical standards and align with Nigeria’s policy context. Represented by Mr. Audu Olokpo, the NBS Director of Procurement, Adeyemi noted that MICS 7 would contribute data for nearly half of the 80 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators measurable through household surveys, serving as a cornerstone for SDG tracking and human capital development monitoring.
The survey is designed to focus on children and guide policy decisions by providing high-quality, nationally representative data. This data will help government and development stakeholders understand disparities, track the situations of the most vulnerable, and inform targeted interventions. MICS 7 aims to assess the conditions of children, women, adolescents, and households while tracking progress under global and national commitments. It also seeks to provide disaggregated data for identifying disparities, promoting social inclusion, evaluating the impact of interventions, and identifying gaps for future policy attention.
Adeyemi praised UNICEF’s commitment to the MICS project by providing technical expertise and financial resources essential for sustaining the exercise. MICS goes beyond data collection to shape policy outcomes that influence where schools are needed, how to strengthen immunization, reduce child and maternal mortality, and direct resources to communities that need them most. He emphasized that MICS 7 is not merely a statistical exercise but a developmental necessity, and the accuracy of today’s data will influence future policy.
Muhammad Okorie, the Social Policy and Programme Manager for UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, highlighted MICS’s capacity to generate data to assess child rights achievements, providing evidence for government and stakeholder planning. He stressed the importance of conducting MICS 7 properly to ensure the rights of children are fulfilled. Once the report is released, it will serve as a basis for assessing progress, planning, and organizing policy dialogues.
Dr. Isiaka Olarewaju, the NBS National Consultant for MICS 7, announced that the survey has been expanded to include a learning-foundation component capturing data on children in schools, with more indicators added compared to previous rounds. He appealed to households to cooperate with data collectors, emphasizing that they are partners in progress for the development of children, women, and men.