By Alfred Zacharia
In a poignant moment at the Ministry of Finance offices in Treasury Square, Dodoma, Finance Minister, Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba (MP), bid farewell to Dr. Albina Chuwa, the Government Statistician who has retired after an illustrious career in managing the nation’s statistical affairs.
Dr. Chuwa, who served for over two decades, was widely recognized for her exceptional leadership, particularly in overseeing key national projects such as the Population and Housing Census, which remains one of her major achievements.
During the farewell ceremony, Dr. Nchemba expressed his deep gratitude to Dr. Chuwa for her remarkable contributions to the growth and professionalism of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a body that has become highly respected both locally and internationally under her stewardship.
He lauded her for the tremendous work done to transform the statistical landscape of Tanzania.
“Dr. Chuwa’s tenure at the helm of NBS has been defined by excellence and innovation. Her leadership in handling major projects like the Population and Housing Census and ensuring that economic and social data meets international standards has been outstanding,” Dr. Nchemba remarked.
Dr. Chuwa, in her farewell speech, expressed her sincere thanks to Minister Nchemba for his support and guidance throughout her tenure. She spoke fondly of the positive working relationship between herself and the Ministry of Finance, which played a crucial role in the success of the statistical institution.
“I am deeply grateful for the leadership and direction provided by Minister Nchemba. His wise counsel and the collaborative work between the Ministry and NBS have been instrumental in achieving the successes we see today. With his support, NBS has reached new heights and earned global recognition,” Dr. Chuwa said with gratitude.
Dr. Albina Chuwa’s tenure as the Government Statistician was marked by her deep commitment to advancing the quality of national data.
Under her leadership, NBS developed and implemented sophisticated methods for data collection and analysis, ensuring that statistical information was accurate, reliable, and served as a vital resource for national planning.
One of her most notable achievements was her role in overseeing the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which provided the government with crucial data for long-term development planning.
In recognition of her exceptional service, Dr. Chuwa had her contract extended twice beyond her initial retirement period. Her retirement marks the end of an era in Tanzanian statistics, where she leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and integrity.
The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, appointed Dr. Amina Msengwa as the new Government Statistician to continue Dr. Chuwa’s work, ensuring the future of Tanzania’s statistical sector remains in capable hands.
Dr. Chuwa’s work has had a lasting impact on the country’s socio-economic development, as accurate data is fundamental to shaping policies and informing decision-making processes.
Her leadership helped build a robust foundation for the use of statistics in guiding Tanzania's development strategies, ensuring that decisions were based on reliable data that could drive effective change.
In addition to her role in managing the country’s statistical work, Dr. Chuwa was a trailblazer in promoting the importance of data literacy and statistical knowledge across various sectors of the government.
Her efforts were integral to improving the capacity of government institutions to use data for planning and monitoring the progress of development initiatives.
As Dr. Chuwa steps down from her role, her legacy will continue to inspire future leaders in the field of statistics and beyond.
Her work has not only elevated the National Bureau of Statistics but has also contributed significantly to Tanzania’s journey towards becoming a data-driven nation, one where decisions are based on sound evidence and informed by the best available statistics.
