AfDB Appoints Dr. Babatunde Samson Omotosho as Director of Statistics Department

Segun Atanda/

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced the appointment of Dr. Babatunde Samson Omotosho as the new Director of the Statistics Department, effective June 16, 2024.

Dr. Omotosho, a seasoned economist and statistician from Nigeria, brings over 21 years of experience in developing data strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

Dr. Omotosho previously served as the Director of Research and Statistics at the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) in Sierra Leone, seconded from the Central Bank of Nigeria. At WAMA, he played a crucial role in advising on monetary and economic integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

His career includes significant contributions within the Statistics and Research Departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria. As an Assistant Director in the Statistics Department, he led initiatives on big data and data analytics, enhancing policymaking capabilities, automating surveys, and developing social media listening tools.

Dr. Omotosho holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Glasgow, a master’s degree in Applied Statistics and Datamining from the University of St Andrews, and degrees in Economics from the University of Benin and the University of Ilorin. His extensive academic contributions include publications in notable journals such as the Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control and the Journal of International Money & Finance.

Dr. Omotosho expressed his gratitude to AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina for the appointment, emphasizing his commitment to the Bank’s mission and collaboration with senior leadership and strategic partners.

Praising Omotoso’s track record, Adesina said, “Dr. Omotosho will support the Bank in building a robust data ecosystem to achieve our strategic objectives and sustain our long-term development goals.”