The Click-On Kaduna Data Science Fellowship Program (DSFP) is providing young professionals with in-demand data science skills to drive positive change in Kaduna State. The program is not just an academic endeavor but a hands-on, practical, and real-world data application platform, a pathway to real-time solutions for local communities and beyond. This is why our alumni are ready to tackle the most difficult challenges the industry has to offer and explains the program’s high post-fellowship employment rate.

Recently, 40 fellows from the DSFP 4.0 cohort embarked on their first practical fieldwork exercise. While 30 fellows were in the field, 10 civil servants, who are also participants in the fellowship from the Kaduna State Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including those from the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics (KDBS), the Kaduna State Ministry of Health (MOH), the Kaduna Primary Health Care Board (KDSPHCB), and the Kaduna State Residence Identity Management Agency (KADRIMA), among others, joined the NFTI data analytics team in the situation room to observe the data collection processes and quality control.

After several intensive classes focused on data collection methods and techniques, the fellows had the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. During their training, the fellows learned practical data collection methods using the Open Data Kit (ODK) and learned how to create electronic data forms using XLS. The fieldwork experience allowed them to team up with the data champions on the ongoing longitudinal study designed to assess primary healthcare readiness and service delivery.

At the end of the exercise, all participants gathered in the situation room at the NFTI to review and scrutinize the data. They also participated in the post-briefing session that exposed them to the importance of validating and ensuring the highest quality of data collected. This experience has strengthened their understanding of data collection and also highlighted the critical role data plays in evidence-based decision-making, particularly in improving the healthcare sector.

Since its inception in 2020, DSFP fellows have made significant contributions to various health initiatives, such as the Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS), the Health Facility Analytics (HEFA) platform, and the Covid-19 dashboard, which has directly impacted the lives of Kaduna State citizens. NFTI, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics, is at the forefront of ensuring quality data for social good in the state.

 

Written By: Simnom Emmanuel