By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja
Leadership baton at the National Population Commission (NPC) has officially changed hands as Mr. Nasir Isa Kwarra handed over to Mr. Muhammad Dattijo, the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State.
The handover, which took place on Tuesday in Abuja, followed the completion of Kwarra’s five-year tenure as Chairman.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mrs. Samiat Lawal, Director of Public Affairs at the Commission.
According to the statement, Dattijo will serve as Acting Chairman pending the formal swearing-in of Mr. Aminu Yusuf, who was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the substantive head of the NPC.
The brief but symbolic ceremony, held at the Commission’s headquarters, signified a smooth transition of administrative duties in line with civil service tradition and internal succession protocols.
*Kwarra reflects on his tenure*
In his remarks, outgoing Chairman Nasir Kwarra expressed gratitude to the Commission’s management, Federal Commissioners, and staff for their dedication and professionalism during his administration.
“I deeply appreciate the support and commitment of every member of this Commission. Your teamwork and resilience sustained our progress and strengthened the institution’s capacity to deliver on its mandate,” he said.
Kwarra highlighted major achievements under his leadership, including advancements in digital mapping, the digitisation of civil registration, and extensive preparations for Nigeria’s long-awaited National Population and Housing Census.
Appointed in October 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Kwarra’s administration was marked by institutional renewal and technological transformation aimed at turning the NPC into a data-driven agency for national development.
*NPC’s digital transformation and global partnerships*
Lawal, in her statement, noted that Kwarra’s tenure witnessed the successful implementation of two landmark projects — the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) and the National Geo-Referenced Data Repository.
“These initiatives modernised Nigeria’s demographic data infrastructure, enhanced planning accuracy, and improved evidence-based decision-making across all levels of government,” Lawal said.
Under Kwarra’s leadership, the NPC also strengthened partnerships with international development bodies such as the UNFPA, World Bank, UNICEF, and UNECA. These collaborations improved data quality, institutional capacity, and inter-agency coordination.
He also prioritised staff welfare, accountability, and capacity building, creating a more innovative and professional workforce across the Commission’s departments nationwide.
With Kwarra’s exit, Muhammad Dattijo has formally assumed duties as Acting Chairman, ensuring administrative stability until the official inauguration of the substantive Chairman, Mr. Aminu Yusuf, by President Tinubu.
Yusuf’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on October 21, following the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh.
