Dare Babalola
National Population Commission Chairman Nasir Kwarra officially ended his five-year tenure on Tuesday, handing over leadership to Federal Commissioner Muhammad Dattijo, who represents Niger State.
Dattijo will serve as acting Chairman until Aminu Yusuf is sworn in as Chairman by President Bola Tinubu.
The brief handover ceremony, held at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, was attended by Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, Directors, and Commission staff.
In a statement issued by the commission on Wednesday, Kwarra thanked his colleagues and subordinates for their cooperation during his tenure.
The statement noted, “Hon. Kwarra expressed appreciation to the Federal Commissioners, Management and Staff of the NPC for their unwavering support and dedication throughout his five-year tenure, highlighting the commission’s strides in strengthening data collection systems, digitizing Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system and advancing preparations for the forthcoming national Population and Housing Census.”
He added that the achievements recorded under his leadership were made possible through collective commitment and professionalism, the statement noted.
The occasion was marked by emotional farewells and tributes, including the signing of the official handover notes, the presentation of a gift to Kwarra, and a group photograph to commemorate the day.
Dattijo assumes leadership in an acting capacity; the Commission is expected to sustain its ongoing initiatives while awaiting the formal assumption of office by the incoming Chairman, Hon. Aminu Yusuf.
Kwarra, appointed in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, led the commission during one of its most critical periods — the build-up to Nigeria’s first population and housing census in nearly two decades.
The last national census was conducted in 2006, making the forthcoming exercise a key national priority.
Under Kwarra’s leadership, the NPC made progress in digital mapping and enumeration area demarcation, a technological shift intended to modernise census operations and improve data accuracy.
However, the census initially scheduled for 2023 was postponed due to the transition of government.
The incoming substantive Chairman, whose swearing-in is awaited, is expected to steer the commission toward completing the country’s long-delayed census, which is crucial for evidence-based planning and equitable national development.
