Some statisticians in Gombe have said that the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), has improved the social and economic wellbeing of women and children in the state.
They said the survey helped in boosting support for children and women toward enhancing their wellbeing and protection across the state.
The experts said this on Thursday, while reviewing the ongoing MICS 7, which started on Dec. 3, 2025 and expected to end in March.
The MICS 7 survey is being carried out by the Federal Government and the Gombe State with the support of UNICEF and other partners.
Mrs Elizabeth Augustine, Gombe State coordinator, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said the surveys, over the years, enhanced support for families and children.
According to Augustine, the survey provides vital data for shaping inclusive social policies and child protection.
‘’Conducting MICS 1- 7 helped in ensuring inclusion as well as prioritising the wellbeing of children and women in the state.
‘’The MICS 7 will provide critical, up-to-date data on the well-being of children and women across the state toward getting the right information for targeted interventions,” she said.
Augustine said that with the over 200 modules, the current survey was covering, data realised from it would result in better outcomes for health, education and other sectors.
“Using data from this new survey will help to drive change and improve lives, especially for children, women and even teenagers in our society.
‘’Measures have been put in place to ensure the integrity of the data from the survey, hence, the survey will meet the best global standard,” she said.
Ibrahim Abubakar, Acting Statistician General, Gombe State, highlighted that data from MICS 7 would initiate evidence-based policy that would result in sustainable development.
Abubakar said MICS had empowered stakeholders and development partners to make informed decisions resulting in positive health and education outcomes in the state.
“Today, you can see that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya is allocating more resources to health, education and other sectors, this is as a result of some of the data from our last survey.
“When the current survey is concluded and result released, more interventions and supports will come, that will help improve the lives and wellbeing of women and children in the state,” he said.
Abdullahi Ningi, North-East Zonal Controller, NBS, urged field officials to remain committed toward ensuring the success of the survey.
Ningi said the use of technology as against manual documentation helped to improve the process of data collection in recent surveys.
He commended the Federal Government, state government and UNICEF for conducting the survey, adding that it would guide policymaking in the interest of the wellbeing and protection of women and children.
MICS is a global household survey programme led by UNICEF to collect statistically sound, comparable data on the situation of women and children.
It covers topics like health, education, nutrition, and child protection to help countries monitor progress toward development programmes like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
