📊 The Power of Data and Charts: Why Every Informed Voice Must Be Backed by Facts

By Silas Odanike - July 15, 2025

In a time when opinions flow freely and narratives are shaped with just a few keystrokes, the ability to back up a claim with verifiable data and charts has become not just a privilege — but a necessity.

A recent conversation with a senior professional brought this to light. We were discussing Nigeria’s former presidents and their economic impacts, particularly the contrasting legacies of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. I argued — like many Nigerians do — that the economy under President Jonathan was stronger and more stable than it became during Buhari’s tenure. But when I was asked: “What data or analysis supports your conclusion?” my response was vague: “I saw it online and heard it in the news.”

That moment stirred something deeper in me — a hunger not just to form opinions, but to understand them through facts.

📌 Why Data and Charts Matter in the Age of Information

1. They Cut Through Noise and Bias

Opinions are everywhere — on social media, in conversations, and even in mainstream news. But data doesn’t lie. When well-sourced and interpreted correctly, data can help distinguish between emotion-driven beliefs and evidence-based realities.

For instance, the claim that Nigeria’s economy overtook South Africa’s in 2014 under Jonathan’s administration can be traced to real-world data from the World Bank and IMF, which recalculated Nigeria’s GDP using updated methods. Similarly, the drop in foreign investment, exchange rate volatility, and inflation under the Buhari administration are reflected in hard economic indicators — not just sentiments.

2. They Help Us Make Better Decisions

Whether you’re a citizen voting, a student researching, or an investor exploring stock exchange opportunities, data-backed insights give clarity. That seminar the senior attended — where economic trends were analyzed from Obasanjo to Tinubu using stock market charts — is a powerful example. It’s not about just hearing who did better, it’s about seeing the numbers behind that performance.

3. They Build Credibility

When you engage in national or professional discourse, citing visualized data (charts, graphs, infographics) strengthens your credibility. People listen when you speak with facts, not just feelings.

Imagine saying: “In 2014, Nigeria’s GDP was estimated at $568 billion compared to South Africa’s $350 billion — making it the largest economy in Africa, according to IMF data.” That’s more persuasive than “I think Jonathan’s time was better.”

📈 How You Can Start Using Data and Charts

You don’t have to be a statistician to work with data. Here are a few simple steps:

✅ Start with Reliable Sources

Use data from verified institutions like:

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
World Bank
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Statista
Trading Economics
Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX)

✅ Learn Basic Data Interpretation

You don’t need to be a data scientist. Learn to read:

Bar and line graphs
Pie charts
Economic indicators like GDP, inflation, interest rates, foreign reserve levels, etc.

✅ Use Free Visualization Tools

Platforms like Google Charts, Flourish, Canva, and Microsoft Excel allow you to create clear, attractive visuals to share your findings.

🌍 A Nation That Thinks With Data, Grows With Purpose

Nigeria is rich in conversations — in politics, religion, economy, and social change. But we must become a nation that doesn’t just argue — we must analyze. Whether we’re speaking about presidents, inflation, job creation, or security, we must grow beyond “I heard it somewhere” into “Here’s what the data says.”

This mindset not only informs public opinion — it shapes better leadership, better investments, and better citizenship.

Let us begin to value charts as much as charisma, and graphs as much as gossip.

📌 At SDC World, we are committed to building a platform where truth, knowledge, and insight drive discussion. We invite you to join us — whether as a reader or a contributor — to share data-backed stories that move minds and shape futures.

🙌 Join the Movement

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