Introduction

To advance inclusive data for better policy and decisions, we must ensure that this work is embedded into institutions so that it becomes the norm. However, that is often easier said than done.  

In a recent article, we discussed 5Ps to build and sustain political will on inclusive data, including common challenges. Some of the key obstacles to advancing the inclusive data agenda can be seen in the cases of Kenya and Nigeria, both Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) champions: limited knowledge and resources, gaps in the systematic inclusion of underrepresented groups in data processes, and limited cross-sectoral and cross-institutional coordination on data.

In this case study, we look at how the governments of Kenya and Nigeria are tackling these issues and their progress in advancing inclusive data within their institutions. 

To promote the institutionalization of inclusive data, Kenya and Nigeria are focusing on three areas: building political buy-in and support for inclusive data, establishing mechanisms to drive momentum on inclusive data, and improving approaches to advancing inclusion.

Background

Nigeria became an Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Champion in 2022, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs Nigeria (OSSAP-SDGs) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Nigeria’s IDC Action Plan aims to strengthen availability of more granular data, greater political commitment and support for evidence-based decision-making and interventions for underrepresented groups in line with the principles of the SDGs and the IDC.  

Kenya’s State Department for Social Protection launched its Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Action Plan in 2021. The action plan, which is co-signed by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, aims to engage state and non-state actors to better coordinate in the collection, analysis, and utilization of comprehensive disaggregated disability data, build the capacity of data producers and users, and strengthen investments in resources for collecting and analyzing disability data, so that persons with disabilities are not left behind. 

Key insights

  • For inclusive data to inform better policy and decisions, it must be embedded into institutions so that it becomes the norm.
  • Institutionalizing inclusive data requires a combination of factors, which include building political buy-in and support, establishing mechanisms to drive momentum on inclusive data, and improving approaches to advance inclusion beyond the data.  
  • The IDC has been a catalyst for Kenya and Nigeria to focus policy and decision makers on the importance of inclusive data at institutional level, and to explore new, innovative ways to mobilize resources and investments through partnerships.
  • Strong institutional coordination and monitoring and evaluation, alongside continued advocacy, engagement, and communication is crucial to sustain momentum and improve accountability and learning.

Building political buy-in and support for inclusive data

Kenya and Nigeria both leveraged existing momentum at national and global levels, to build political buy-in and support for the IDC. 

Kenya

The Government’s IDC commitments were made as part of the first Global Disability Summit (GDS) in 2018, which Kenya co-hosted. The summit revived Kenya’s engagement with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including articles that had not previously had adequate focus, such as data. At the time, the national census was also being organized, with plans to use the Washington Group set of questions on disability for the first time in the country, and this work highlighted the need for better coordination between state and non-state actors on disability inclusive data. This all helped to drive the commitments by senior political leaders to the IDC. 

Other factors that helped to build political will and support for inclusive data included: 

  • Having the President of Kenya announce the importance of inclusive data and disability inclusion on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2021, the same year Kenya’s IDC action plan was launched. 
  • Kenya’s vibrant civil society and disability movement, and its continued advocacy on disability inclusive data. 
  • The incorporation of diverse stakeholder perspectives, which has enabled the reinforcement of data for development as being important to driving forward the LNOB agenda. For example, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities in Kenya have played a key role in highlighting the importance of utilizing citizen data, data produced by and with sufficient engagement of citizens and communities, to complement official data sources. This advocacy has led to Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) producing a citizen data quality assurance framework, which is being refined in consultation with civil society.

Nigeria

Existing structures and a conducive climate helped to build political will on inclusive data, and the IDC was presented to Nigeria at an opportune time by the Global Partnership and Sightsavers Nigeria in 2021. 

A number of factors combined to drive Nigeria’s interest in the IDC: 

  • OSSAP-SDGs and NBS both have convening power on specific mandates. OSSAP-SDGs is responsible for sensitization, advocacy, and partnership building around the 2030 agenda as well as having a mandate for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for the SDGs. NBS is the primary statistical agency and coordinator of the National Statistical System (NSS), which includes suppliers, producers, and users of statistics drawn from all relevant stakeholders across the three tiers of government. The two offices had a joint commitment to realign the NSS with the requirements and indicators of the SDGs.
  • Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts also increased interest and appetite for inclusive data in Nigeria, as this raised questions on which population groups were being left behind, and how to identify them. There was a lack of comprehensive data to tell the full story. When the IDC was presented to NBS and OSSAP-SDGs leadership, they saw this as an opportunity to address the gaps on inclusivity. 
  • OSSAP-SDGs and NBS agreed to come together to jointly advance the IDC commitments for Nigeria and were confirmed as Champions in early 2022. The engagement of the two institutions subsequently helped to drive buy-in for the IDC from line ministries and departments working on a range of health, social inclusion, and development issues.

Establishing mechanisms to drive momentum on inclusive data

To drive forward their IDC action plans, both governments have established governance and monitoring mechanisms alongside integrating resource mobilization into their institutional plans. 

Kenya

The IDC government focal points have produced a resource mobilization strategy and successfully influenced decision-makers within the State Department for Social Protection to integrate the IDC into departmental annual workplans. The Kenya IDC action plan was signed off at cabinet secretary level, which is an incentive for relevant departments and units to include resource allocation in their own workplans to advance the IDC commitments. 

The development of Kenya’s IDC resource mobilization strategy, supported by the IDC secretariat and the Global Partnership, has been an inclusive process, bringing in perspectives from the government and harnessing the expertise of civil society and multilateral partners. These collective efforts further demonstrate policy and decision-makers’ commitment and show that inclusive data is being increasingly institutionalized and embedded into government delivery plans. 

This work is sustained through established coordination and governance mechanisms. Kenya’s inter-agency coordination group (IACC) was set up to monitor progress in implementing the country’s GDS commitments, including the IDC action plan. The IACC includes a data subcommittee, bringing together government and other organizations to collectively drive forward the inclusive data agenda and keep up momentum on implementation of the IDC across institutions. 

Nigeria

Nigeria is a federalized state with three tiers of government: federal, state, and local. Resources are devolved across these tiers. This brings its own unique complexities in operationalizing the inclusive data agenda and strengthening inclusivity across the various government structures. For the Nigeria IDC government focal points, this structure also provides an opportunity for strategic alignment. As the coordinator of the NSS in the country, NBS leveraged this to integrate the IDC and its principles into the NSS realignment with relevant indicators. 

To drive the IDC action plan, the Nigeria champions established an IDC Technical Working Committee (TWC), coordinated by OSSAP-SDGs and NBS, with financial and technical support provided by Sightsavers, the IDC secretariat, and other partners. Membership of the TWC included relevant ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, and representatives of underrepresented groups. 

Establishing a TWC is part of Nigeria’s overall strategy for advancing the 2030 agenda, through ‘a whole of government and society approach’ to address issues relevant to the SDGs. The IDC TWC started off with a core committee and expanded its membership as the work evolved, to ensure different voices and perspectives were included in the action plan development. 

During the development of the IDC roadmap and Needs Assessment Analysis, it became evident that most of the data available was only from NBS. There were issues faced in getting data from the federal ministries department and agencies, which demonstrated some of the critical gaps the IDC work would need to address. Initially, only the federal level of government was included in the TWC but the state level, which also represents local government, was engaged further down the line as part of the action plan validation process to secure their buy-in and ownership of the process.  

Improving approaches to advancing inclusion

Beyond the data itself, the IDC has prompted both Kenya and Nigeria to reflect on inclusivity more broadly and how they can put this in practice. 

Kenya

Within the State Department for Social Protection, there are several directorates and units working on disability issues as well as broader inclusion issues including the community capacity social development (CCSD) unit, which has programs on economic empowerment. Engaging with the IDC has supported the launch of their community development information management system. During the early stages of developing the system, there was no plan for disaggregating the data. The IDC ministry focal points worked with the CCSD unit to incorporate IDC principles to address inclusion gaps within the system. This has enabled improved identification and availability of disaggregated data on specific underrepresented groups and strengthened linkages with microfinance institutions to support these groups, so they are better able to access and benefit from services. 

In partnership with UNICEF, a fellow IDC champion, Kenya has also piloted a humanitarian program which aims to address the gaps in data, systems, and support for children with disabilities in Kisumu County, enabling them to get registered and access services.

Likewise, an enhanced single registry, which collects data on all populations at county level in collaboration with communities, is contributing to World Bank programs. Households are identified from this data for economic interventions and support. Previously, there were some issues with the enhanced single registry as it wasn’t comprehensive nor sufficiently inclusive in its data collection. The IDC ministry focal points worked with stakeholders to guide the enhancement of the tool to strengthen its inclusivity and the updated registry is now being rolled out and utilized to collect data across counties in Kenya.  

The use of the Washington Group questions on disability has been embraced by everyone at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Since the launch of the IDC action plan, KNBS has included disability questions in several household-based surveys including the  Demographic and Health Survey, Support Needs Survey for Persons with Disabilities and their Primary caregivers and the Kenya Housing Survey, among others - all of this has further promoted the disaggregation of various indicators by disability status and reinforced our commitment to advancing the IDC."

Renice Bunde The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

Nigeria

As a result of engaging with the IDC, NBS started to look at how to make its office more inclusive, by building a wheelchair ramp at the entrance which they are further improving to meet accessibility standards with the support of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). NBS are also looking at installing accessible toilet facilities and including sign language interpreters as part of their regular meetings.

OSSAP-SDGs is working with NCPWD to support the construction and rehabilitation of six disability centers across the country. Work to advance the IDC has also been a catalyst for OSSAP-SDGs to strengthen partnerships with the National Senior Citizen Centre alongside NCPWD, looking at how to strengthen inclusivity through advocacy to ensure that data is disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and other dimensions to inform more targeted policy interventions. 

The IDC is serving as a tool for redefining how Nigeria collects data for the country. In addition, the spirit of inclusivity is explicit, clear, very important and it’s spreading like wildfire across the data ecosystem. The IDC is a framework that will accelerate the Leave No one Behind mantra and will foster synergy, collaboration, and ownership towards achieving the SDGs.” 

Anne Ibrahim National Bureau of Statistics

Next steps

The IDC has given both Kenya and Nigeria a blueprint for focusing on inclusive data and is contributing to advancing institutional conversations on inclusion.  

Nigeria’s IDC championship has enabled active participation at global levels. This momentum is being harnessed to look at how to further strengthen political commitment, support and investments in data. Nigeria is aiming to officially launch its IDC action plan at the highest political level, alongside the Power of Data initiative, convened by the Global Partnership and partners. This level of endorsement will ensure that IDC commitments are reinforced and resources are allocated to implement the work across the different tiers of government. 

For Kenya, disability data is now increasingly at the forefront of policy and decision makers’ minds, thanks to the State Department for Social Protection’s engagement with the IDC. Kenya has been able to share key learnings and experiences in advancing its IDC action plan with other IDC champions and partners at local, national, and global levels. This increased visibility has helped to increase interest from other stakeholders including governments, civil society, and multilaterals, to support and partner with Kenya to advance inclusive data. 

Moving forward, Kenya will look at further promoting the IDC principles at the county government level. Alongside this are plans to take forward its IDC resource mobilization strategy to engage more supporters for its action plan. To strengthen staff technical competency on inclusive data, the state department is advancing plans to establish a statistical unit within the ministry, in collaboration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. With its current IDC action plan due to be updated in 2025, Kenya is looking at opportunities to expand the issue areas to take a more intersectional approach, looking at disability alongside other aspects such as gender and age. 

For Nigeria, launching and disseminating the IDC action plan will be the first step to getting it domesticated by line ministries, departments, and agencies as well as the state level. This will be complemented by training and capacity building on specific SDG indicators and how they relate to the IDC commitments, as part of plans to strengthen the statistical system, particularly at the sub-national levels. 

To sustain momentum for the IDC, Nigeria aims to continue the IDC multi-stakeholder TWC as an oversight mechanism for ongoing monitoring and review of progress. Having strong institutional coordination systems, through development of an operationalization framework for the IDC, will be crucial for ongoing improvement and learning, alongside continued advocacy and communication. 

 

With thanks to the following Kenya and Nigeria representatives for their valuable insights and contributions to this case study:

  • Rose Bukania – State Department for Social Protection, Kenya
  • Renice Bunde – Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
  • Anne Ibrahim – National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria
  • Dr Bala Yusuf-Yunusa – OSSAP-SDGs, Nigeria