The Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF, has commenced the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-7) aimed at generating vital data on the well-being of women and children across the State.
The Statistician-General of Ekiti State, Mrs. Dolapo Ojo, who disclosed this during a live radio programme in Ado-Ekiti, described the survey as a critical exercise that will provide comprehensive, reliable, and internationally comparable data on the living conditions of women, children, and other vulnerable groups, stressing that the findings would support the development of effective, evidence-based policies and programmes at both state and national levels.
According to her, the survey tracks about 40 key indicators with a strong focus on child health and nutrition; education, including a newly introduced learning foundation component; child protection; household living conditions; as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Mrs. Ojo explained that trained enumerators drawn from the NBS and the Ekiti State Bureau of Statistics began fieldwork in December 2025, adding that the teams are visiting selected households across the state and using digital data-collection tools to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
She further revealed that Ekiti State has been divided into 49 clusters, covering both rural and urban communities, to guarantee a broad and inclusive survey, adding that 20 households have been selected from each cluster, bringing the total number of households participating in the exercise to 980.
“Every member of each household, from the head of the family to infants, will be captured using questionnaires specifically designed for different age groups and categories,” Mrs. Ojo emphasized.
Describing MICS-7 as a primary source of data for monitoring progress under national and global development frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, she said the final results are expected to be released in August 2026.
The data, she added, will guide government agencies and development partners in shaping future policies and targeted interventions.
Mrs. Ojo appealed to all selected households to cooperate fully with the enumerators, stressing that accurate and honest information is essential for effective planning and sustainable development.
The fieldwork for the survey is scheduled to continue until March 2026.