Last Updated on May 10, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

… Says FUNAAB’s 102nd Inaugural Lecturer

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu

A renowned expert in Stochastic modelling from the Department of Statistics, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Samuel Agwuegbo, has underscored the critical role of statistical reasoning in driving national development and realising Nigeria’s full potential.

Delivering the University’s 102nd Inaugural Lecture titled “Statistical Reasoning: A Panacea for National Development,” Prof. Agwuegbo, today, May 7, 2025, described statistical reasoning as a cornerstone for effective decision-making, enabling the transformation of raw data into actionable insights that can shape policies, drive innovation, and foster progress across sectors.

“Without statistical interpretation, data is merely an unintelligible array of numbers,” he stated. “It is only through statistical reasoning that data becomes meaningful, guiding informed decisions and evidence-based conclusions.”

Prof. Agwuegbo emphasised that no field of research can attain scientific credibility without the application of statistical methods. From diagnosing diseases in healthcare to ensuring quality control in manufacturing, he noted that statistical reasoning remained central to achieving reliability and efficiency.

To enhance the impact of statistical thinking, the University’s 102nd Inaugural Lecturer recommended the integration of statistical reasoning into all postgraduate programmes at FUNAAB. He also advocated the establishment of robust national data platforms that would provide accessible, reliable datasets to support research, innovation, and development.

Furthermore, he urged the University to embed statistical literacy into its academic framework, stressing that such an initiative would cultivate critical thinking and empower students to engage with data in meaningful and transformative ways.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, commended Prof. Agwuegbo for delivering an insightful and thought-provoking lecture. He appreciated the Lecturer’s remarkable academic contributions, including his role as an external examiner at the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Prof. Agwuegbo, a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), International Biometric Society (IBS), American Statistical Association (ASA), and Professional Statisticians Society of Nigeria (PSSN), has published over 40 scholarly articles in reputable local and international journals.