The Africa Polling Institute (API), an independent, non-profit research institute on Monday organized a ‘train the trainers’ workshop for its upcoming poverty profile and social survey for Nigeria.
The two-day workshop done in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had participants drawn from the 36 states and the FCT.
Executive Director of API, Prof. Bell Ihua, said the aim of the survey was to gather accurate data that would assist the government and policy makers in coming up with policies that would better the lives of citizens.
He added that the research population which would be scientifically selected, would capture six local government areas in each state and the FCT.
According to him, the institute is out to collect credible data that are locally generated in other to support policy makers and non-state actors in the country.
“The essence of today’s train-the-trainers workshop is to train field managers and supervisors on two major surveys that API is leading for the country, which are funded by the UNDP.
“The first survey is the poverty profile survey and the second survey is the Nigeria social survey.
“The poverty profile survey looks at the realities faced by the poor in the country and it is a survey that looks into the challenges faced by the poor in the country.
“We know that the poor are facing some challenges. However, COVID-19 came last year and further exacerbated the situation of the poor.
“So this survey is to collect data that look into what challenges the poor are facing.
“The second one has to do with different sectors.
“The health sector, water and sanitation, climate change, personal economy, living conditions and the different social issues that Nigerians face.”
He said that findings from the survey would be beneficial to the masses as it would help them make their opinions known to the government.
“At the end of day, findings from this study will help policy makers and it will be passed on to government and key stakeholders to know what Nigerians think about some of the policies they are putting out and some of the work they are doing,” Ihua added.
Mr. Olugbenga Ogunmefun, Director of Research of API, said the survey would help government at all levels to key into the data for their poverty alleviation programmes.
“There are numerous facts and figures that are out all over the place but we really want to get into the heart of the matter and speak with those at the bottom of the pyramid both in the urban and rural communities in Nigeria.
“We want to do it scientifically, getting the facts and figures right, not speculation, not anti-critique of the government not doing it right. We want that information gotten from the people,” he said.
Ms. Blessing Sampaul,
A participant from Abia, Ms Blessing Sampaul, said the training would enable participants to be able to gather first-hand information from the masses and not depend on hearsay.
“We will be going to the field. We want to hear from them to know the poverty line of the country and be able to know what they need and at the end of the day it will be of benefit to them,” she added. (NAN)
