CSEA and Development Gateway Convene High-Level Workshop on Data-Driven Tobacco Control

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), in collaboration with Development Gateway , convened a high-level workshop on July 8, 2026, to strengthen the use of data and evidence in tobacco control policymaking in Nigeria. The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, media practitioners and civil society organisations to explore how data can support more effective tobacco control policies and advocacy. Discussions focused on strengthening access to relevant evidence and improving the use of data in policy and programme decisions.

The programme featured several key sessions, including an overview of the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI) 2.0 and a  presentation of findings from the Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa (DaYTA) survey, on tobacco use among adolescents aged 10–17, and an introduction to the TCDI Nigeria Dashboard. The dashboard provides stakeholders with access to localised tobacco control data to support research, advocacy and decision-making 

A central highlight of the workshop was the collaborative breakout sessions. Media practitioners, government representatives, and advocacy groups worked together to identify practical applications for the TCDI Dashboard. These sessions produced critical recommendations for  enhancing tobacco taxation, improving data accessibility for journalists, and utilising evidence to counter industry interference. 

The workshop highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders in ensuring that reliable and accessible data informs tobacco control efforts in Nigeria.