AfDB appoints Babatunde Omotosho, ex-CBN data analyst, as director of statistics

The African Development Bank (AFDB) has appointed Babatunde Omotosho as director of the statistics department.

According to a statement on Friday, the bank said the appointment took effect from June 16.

Commenting on his appointment, Omotosho expressed gratitude for the opportunity, reaffirming his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

“I am grateful to President Adesina for this appointment, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the continued success and growth of the African Development Bank Group, an institution that plays such a pivotal role in the economic and social development of our beloved continent, Africa,” Omotosho said.

“I am fully committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position while collaborating effectively with the Bank’s senior leadership team, colleagues, and other strategic partners.”

Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB’s president, said Omotosho will support the bank in building a robust data ecosystem to achieve its strategic objectives and sustain its long-term development goals.

“I am pleased to appoint Dr Babatunde Samson Omotosho, a respected statistician, as Director of the Statistics Department,” Adesina said.

“Dr Omotosho brings to this role an impressive track record in statistics, economics, and data analytics.”

In the statement, the AfDB said Omotosho has more than 21 years of experience in developing data strategies to align with the strategic objectives of organisations.

The bank said he also brings expertise in data compilation, data analytics, macroeconomic research, and policy analysis.

The firm said Omotosho holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ilorin (2000), and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Benin (2008).

The AfDB said he also holds a master’s degree in applied statistics and data-mining from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom (2011) and PhD in economics from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (2021).

Omotosho, according to the firm, previously served as director of research and statistics at the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) in Sierra Leone, where he was seconded from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

During his tenure at WAMA, he provided advice on monetary and economic integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the statement said.

“Prior to that, he held various positions within the statistics and research departments of the CBN,”  the AfDB said.

“As an assistant director in the statistics department, Omotosho led the data analytics team and managed the CBN’s strategic initiatives on big data and data analytics.

“He oversaw projects aimed at enhancing data analytics capabilities for policymaking, automating surveys and statistical systems, improving data sharing infrastructure and developing social media listening tools.”

The AfDB said his leadership fostered a culture of data analytics within the CBN, driving innovation and efficiency in operational and policy processes.