History : Department of Statistics

This Department was established by senate in 1965 but did not start functioning as an independent until 1973. Prior to 1973, the training of prospective of Statisticians was largely limited to the Departments of Mathematics and Economics. Hence when a two-year course in statistics leading to a Professional Diploma in Statistics was established in 1965 to meet the urgent need for trained middle level professional statisticians, it was housed in the Department of Economics.

The initial primary emphasis of the Department of Statistics has been on the production of statisticians to reduce the critical manpower shortage and the offering of service courses to other teaching or research units of the University. The first degree programme is such as to maintain a judicious balance between theory and practice. The graduates have either found employment in various arms of government and the private sector or are pursuing postgraduate studies.

In 1977 higher degree programmes were introduced with an initial intake of four students for the one-year M.Sc. The M.Sc. graduates finished in October 1978. In continuation of its efforts to combat the Manpower problem and in order to offer further training opportunity for working Statisticians, a Postgraduate Diploma supported by the Federal Office of Statistics (FOS), now National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) was commenced on a crash training basis.

As from October 1981, the Department assumed responsibility for running the Professional Diploma in Statistics.

The 1983/84 session witnessed the emergence of the first Ph.D graduate from the Department. The second Ph.D graduate was produced during 1984/85 session.

Apart from the above, since 1977/78 the Department has been running some short courses which are tailored to the needs of the participants – during the months of August and September. Between 1981/82 sessions, the Department could not run these courses due to some circumstances beyond its control. These short Course had however been revived during the 1983/84 session and are being run on regular basis, The courses run so far include:

(1) Workshop on Biometry (2) Sample Survey Methods and Problems (3) Remedial /Refresher Course Statistics (4) Vacation Course on Statistical Computing (5) Vacation Course on Energy Statistics.

The Department also undertakes consulting work for those requiring statistical advice both from within and from outside the University. This is being organized under a unit of the Department known as Statistical Laboratory.

The staff of the Department engaged in research of both national and international interest in various aspects of methodology and general applications. Apart from their teaching, research and consulting commitments, some have and are offering national and international services in various forms.

The first inaugural lecture in statistics in this University was given by Prof. Biyi Afonja in May 1985. The lecture was titled: Facts, Figures and Falsehood (fa-fi-fal) Syndrome in Society.

Besides the Federal Office of Statistics (FOS), the Department receives support from Economic Community for Africa (ECA) under the Statistical Training Programme for Africa (STPA). Our department is one of the centres participating in the STPA.