Renowned data scientist and public health analyst Lateef Olawale Fatai has shared insight into how usage of data can inform policy of government at all levels and impact public health.
Currently serving as a Data Governance and Quality Analyst at Swindon Borough Council, United Kingdom, Fatai who is from Nigeria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Abuja and a Master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Professional Engineers and Scientists (NIPES) and a Royal Fellow of the International Organization for Academic and Scientific Development (IOASD).
His reputation as a thought leader in the field is supported by multiple recognitions, including the Global Tech Hero Award and the Bridge Africa Technologies Award of Excellence. Lateef also contributes to the academic community as an editor and reviewer for respected journals like Carl Public Health and IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
According to him, today’s complex and fast-evolving public health landscape, the role of data science has become indispensable.
From guiding pandemic responses to shaping mental health and homelessness interventions, data science is transforming how governments understand, anticipate, and respond to public health crises.
“As a data scientist and public health researcher, I have witnessed firsthand how evidence-based decision-making—powered by predictive modeling, data analytics, and real-time surveillance systems—can reshape systems and save lives. In the face of escalating challenges such as homelessness, substance use, and mental health disparities, data is no longer optional; it is the cornerstone of effective policy.”
In collaboration with grassroots organizations like the Kids & Teens Resource Centre and the CHES Empowerment Foundation, we have applied advanced analytics to identify vulnerable populations and connect them to essential government services. Through the development of health surveillance data warehouses, dynamic dashboards, and predictive models, we’ve been able to map trends in housing insecurity, monitor substance abuse hot spots, and inform policymakers where interventions are most needed.
For example, using demographic data, service utilization patterns, and economic indicators, we built models that can predict individuals at risk of homelessness before a crisis occurs. These tools allow governments to allocate resources more efficiently—such as expanding shelter space in high-risk areas or deploying case managers where eviction rates are rising. More importantly, these insights help link vulnerable individuals to long-term solutions, including access to housing programs, mental health services, and rehabilitation centers.
Moreover, these data-driven strategies inform policy frameworks at both local and national levels. Governments can now track program outcomes, measure the impact of interventions, and adjust funding priorities based on real-time evidence. By integrating data from social services, public health, housing authorities, and even alternative sources like utility payment histories, we are enabling financial inclusion and post-rehabilitation economic reintegration—critical components for breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Transparency and accountability are further enhanced through data science. Decision-makers no longer have to rely on anecdotal evidence; they can see, in real numbers, which programs are working and why. This helps to build public trust and foster more responsive governance.
As Nigeria and other nations face increasing public health demands, it is imperative to build cross-sector collaborations, invest in data infrastructure, and strengthen ethical data governance. When governments, researchers, and communities work together using the power of data, we create systems that not only respond to crises—but prevent them.
In conclusion, data science is not just a technical discipline—it is a lifeline. It enables us to move from reactive interventions to proactive, inclusive policymaking that uplifts the most marginalized. Whether it’s a child in Lagos at risk of dropping out of school, or a family in London facing eviction, data has the power to connect people to care, dignity, and opportunity. The better we understand the stories our data tells us, the more effectively we can build a society that is healthier, more equitable, and resilient for all.
