The Applied Statistics and Economic Modeling Department (ASEMD) is made up of two Divisions, namely, the Statistics and Economic Modeling Division (SEMD) and the Statistical Computing and Data Management Division (SC&DMD). The functions of the Divisions are detailed below.
The Division is engaged in the production, analysis, modeling and dissemination of quality statistics. In the process, it would conduct both qualitative and quantitative surveys, using innovative technologies and robust methodologies. This would include opinion polls on critical national and emergent issues. Consequently, for the effective management of our surveys, SEMD is expected to develop expertise in handling Computer Aided Personal Interviews (CAPI) and Computer Aided Telephone Interviews (CATI). The Division is also responsible for forecasting the future time paths of critical economic variables, using eclectic modeling procedures. It would also undertake informal sector studies, with special attention to Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) studies. The Division is expected to be a leading light on trainings associated with the compilation, analysis and interpretation of statistics related to the four major macroeconomic accounts. These include compilation of Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics, Monetary and Financial Statistics, Government Finance Statistics and National Accounts Statistics. Courses on Survey Methodology and Data Management procedures would also be offered by the Division. Furthermore, issues related to Statistical Research, Statistical Advocacy and the running of the Statistics Clinic would be handled by the Division. Econometric modeling and forecasting, as well as Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models would be important procedures in the modeling process.
The Division is responsible for Statistical Computing and Data Management within the centre. It would engage in Big Data analytics and facilitate the transmission of statistical data to users and ensure that the numbers and projections on macroeconomic variables are published and displayed on our website. The Division is expected to combine effectively Data Science, Statistics and Visualization (DSSV) in its approach to data management, placing emphasis on the production of Geospatial data in order to tie datasets with location information. Also, the digitization of our statistical output is the responsibility of the Division. Training programmes on the suite of Microsoft Office packages, CSPro, SPSS, SAS, STATA, EViews, GAMS, GIS, R, Python, Minitab, MathLab, Java, etc, would be undertaken by the Division. The distance learning activities of the centre, as well as the management of CASEM’s Website, Database and Local Area Network (LAN) would be anchored by the Division. Studies on Tech trends and ICT penetration would be conducted by compiling statistics on the ownership of, and access to Radio, Television, Telephone, the Internet as well as the usage and availability of Computers, Robots, Drones, among others.
The Department employs quality statistics in the analysis of macroeconomic policies, in order to guide appropriate policy responses and strategies to emergent national issues. In particular, it would monitor and analyse monetary and fiscal trends to determine their level of complementarity. It would also assist in watching developments and analysing movements in Nigeria’s financial market indicators. The Department would attempt to benchmark new data outputs to existing data sets to ensure analytical integrity. The rigorous analysis expected from the Department through effective analysis of Nigeria’s macroeconomic data and those produced by the centre would guide industry and civil society leaders and policymakers. Such practices would encourage the production of statistics that have practical utility and ultimately add intelligence to information. The Department would also engage in such research activities that would make the products of the centre relevant for Nigeria and West Africa in particular and Africa in general. It would undertake the review and teaching of macroeconomic topics that help in anchoring our modeling processes. More importantly, it would assist the ASEMD in preparing the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) to be used in our Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. It is the responsibility of the Department to follow developments in such international/regional socio-economic indices such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Ease of Doing Business Index, Poverty Index, WAMZ Trade Integration Index (WTII), African Regional Integration Index (ARII), Corruption Perception Index, Democracy Perception Index, etc, in order to measure the distance between Nigeria and her comparator countries, globally.
The department is responsible for the day to day administration of the Centre. It would be responsible for human resources management as well as administration of programmes and projects. This will include the organization of conferences, seminars, onsite and online training programmes. It would also act as liaison between CASEM and other agencies, both local and international. Consequently, it would liaise and affiliate with entities such as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, development partners and other statistical and economic modeling agencies. The ASSD would be responsible for the publication and dissemination of the research outputs of the centre.