A United States–based Nigerian global analyst, Ejike Okpa, has urged Nigeria and other African countries to take ownership of their economic and development data rather than relying on global institutions like the World Bank for validation.
Okpa, a board member of the Dallas Development Fund and the Texas State Securities Board, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the African Energy and Climate Change Conference themed ‘The Future of Energy and Climate Change.”
The two-day event was organised by the African University of Science and Technology and brought together scholars, policymakers, and energy experts to deliberate on sustainable financing and the continent’s path toward a just energy transition.
Speaking on the topic ‘Data Integrity and Sustainable Financing: Foundations for Africa’s Energy Transition,’ Okpa lamented that Nigeria’s reliance on foreign data sources weakens national credibility and perpetuates dependence on external narratives.
“It sometimes bothers me that Nigeria wants to talk about its economic growth and makes reference to the World Bank. There should be institutions in Nigeria saddled with the authority to provide this data locally, yet you don’t trust them. Instead, you prefer reports from people far away who want to control your mind.”
Okpa, who described himself as a student of statistics, said data was the foundation of self-determination and warned that overreliance on global agencies creates intellectual dependency.
“I would hope that the data about Nigeria’s growth and challenges comes from Nigerian institutions, our universities, research centres, and statistical agencies.
“And then when they put out that data, if it’s in conflict with what the World Bank is saying, what do you do? You go to the one you know, you can walk into his office and ask him, How did you come up with that? It cannot be any better than that. So, customise your data and localise your data. Because that way you can have ownership.
He added that weak institutions, not lack of intellectual capacity, were holding back Africa’s ability to set its own agenda.
“A professor once said we don’t have strong institutions, we have strong people. Nigeria should be the symbol and the beacon of what black people can look at as an actual That’s credible. It has integrity. But when other people do it, you need to have something that you’re right in existence to them,” he declared.
Okpa also challenged Nigeria’s educational and economic policymakers to draw lessons from local entrepreneurship rather than foreign models.
“You don’t have to look outside. Go to our markets. Those women are incredibly entrepreneurial. You could study what they have done to get an idea of what the country can do, but you have to tell all these to modern times. You have to make it suitable for what you’re doing. So, if anybody is coming out of Nigeria to tell you that and say, I don’t know who you have to talk to but this is what I believe in. Modernise it, and you’ll find the Nigerian solution to Nigeria’s problems,” he added.
For years, Nigeria’s economic and development statistics have been heavily influenced by international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. From poverty figures to GDP growth estimates, global reports often dominate public discourse, sometimes overshadowing data produced by local agencies like the National Bureau of Statistics. This reliance has fuelled debates over data sovereignty and the accuracy of figures used to shape national policy.
In recent years, discrepancies between World Bank assessments and local data have stirred controversy. For instance, the Bank’s 2023 report, which estimated that 71 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, contradicted domestic surveys, raising questions about methodology and context. Critics argue that depending on foreign institutions to define Nigeria’s economic realities undermines local expertise and weakens confidence in national systems.
Experts like Okpa contend that Nigeria must take ownership of its data and narrative to strengthen credibility in policymaking. They believe building robust institutions, investing in research, and developing home-grown statistical capacity will not only enhance accuracy but also ensure that national decisions reflect local realities rather than external interpretations.
Turning to climate issues, Okpa took a controversial stance, rejecting the mainstream climate change discourse.
He argued that what Africa faces is not “climate change” but “climate conditions” that must be understood and managed locally.
“On the issue of climate change being mouthed by the Global South. For me, I have to take a departure from the norm. I don’t subscribe to climate change. I am concerned about the climate conditions. Because we have to deal with conditions. And, you know, if you look at the history of human beings on Earth, things have always been changing. So, we, you know, have this idea of climate change.
“It is something that the Western world, the developed nations, came up with to try to manage the growth of countries like Nigeria and other countries that subscribe to the United Nations and other agencies. But any country that is worth its sovereignty has to know what to do? Each country should be able to look after its own boundary and see what it is that they are doing to improve the life of people within that country and tackle climate issues according to their peculiarity,” he asserted.
According to him, global climate policies have often been weaponised to restrict Africa’s development space.
“The Earth is not going to explode. The same water and air God gave us are still here. What we must do is manage our resources better, from land use to power generation, and design efficient systems that fit our environment.”
Okpa also criticised the poor quality of building designs in Nigeria, saying that 80 per cent of houses are “uninhabitable” due to inefficient materials and poor engineering.
“If you go to rural areas, you’ll see mildew rising from the base of concrete walls. Have we designed better materials for our environment? That’s what engineers should be doing,” he added.
Earlier in his address, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said the conference aimed to demystify climate change and align scientific understanding with public awareness.
“We all know climate change is caused by human activities, industries, cement plants, and emissions. These gases disrupt the ecosystem and cause extreme weather events. Government has to put in place mitigation measures like tree planting and green housing policies, but individuals must also act responsibly,” he said.
Onwualu, a leading materials engineer, explained that the National Council on Climate Change was driving awareness campaigns and promoting renewable energy adoption to reduce emissions.
“If you can bathe with half a bucket of water, why use a full one?” he quipped. “Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in mitigating climate impact.”
He said that climate change represents both a major challenge and a unique opportunity for humanity.
According to him, it should not be seen only as a problem, but also as a chance to redesign existing systems of production and consumption in ways that promote sustainability.
Onwualu stated that while climate change disrupts traditional development models, it also provides an opportunity to rebuild societies and economies around cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive principles.
“Climate change represents both a challenge and an opportunity. We should not see it only as a challenge. There is also an opportunity. A challenge to our existing systems of production and consumption, but also an opportunity to retain and redesign our society towards sustainability. The path forward demands collaborative leadership, scientific innovation, and moral responsibility. Governments must provide enabling policies, industries must innovate responsibly, and individuals must adopt sustainable lifestyles.
“I also firmly believe that knowledge remains our most powerful tool. Through research, policy dialogue, such as what we are having today, and education, we can transform awareness into action. The decisions we make today will determine the quality of life for generations to come.
“Let us therefore act precisely, guided by science, united by purpose, and inspired by hope, to secure a sustainable and climate-friendly future for all of us,” he stated.
On his part, the Secretary of the Conference Local Organising Committee, Michael Mosier, said the goal was to redirect Africa’s climate conversation from glamour events to evidence-based policymaking.
“When we talk about COP meetings and global pledges, we forget that it’s all about data,” Mosier said. “If Nigeria doesn’t have accurate data, we’re just going there to take pictures. Climate action starts with knowing what we’re doing and measuring it.”
Mosier added that the conference would feed into Nigeria’s ongoing engagements with the UAE Just Energy Transition Work Programme and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, stressing the need for harmonised continental data.
Climate change isn’t far-fetched,” he said. “It’s about measuring, reporting, and acting on what we know. That’s the only way Africa can shape its energy future.”
