Abuja: The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7), a significant effort aimed at informing policy and development goals. The survey, titled 'Data for Progress,' was introduced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation, stated that the nationwide survey seeks to collect detailed information on the welfare and living conditions of households across Nigeria. The focus is on children, women, adolescents, and other household members, with data collection covering education, health, nutrition, and child protection indicators. The survey will encompass over 37,000 households across the 36 states of Nigeria, including both urban and rural areas.
Adeniran highlighted that following the survey's unveiling, the next step involves training field officers at the state level, beginning on Wednesday. Data collection is slated to start in December and conclude in March 2026. One key innovation in MICS7 is its ability to disaggregate data to the local government level, offering detailed insights into the needs of different communities.
He explained that unlike previous surveys, MICS7 will provide data at the local government level, with a methodology that allows for further disaggregation to the ward level when combined with other sources. Follow-up interviews with selected households will be conducted using the 'MICS Plus platform' to track key indicators through telephone interviews.
The survey will also include anthropometric measurements for children under five, assessing the nutritional status of young children in Nigerian households. The data collected will be instrumental in evaluating Nigeria's progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping policy decisions at both federal and state levels. Final results are expected in August 2026, after thorough data processing and analysis.
Dr. Rowank Khan, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Nigeria, commended the Nigerian government for its continued commitment to the survey despite challenges. Dr. Isiaka Olanrewaju, Project Director for MICS7, noted that insecurity issues were encountered during the selection and mapping process, leading to the exclusion of certain high-risk areas, such as 18 Local Government Areas in Borno.
The MICS, initially conducted in 1995, is a household survey developed by UNICEF to help countries address data gaps for monitoring human development indicators, with a particular focus on children and women.