The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, on Tuesday officially concluded his five-year tenure, handing over leadership of the commission to Muhammad Dattijo, the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State.
Naijaonpoint reports that Dattijo will serve as Acting Chairman pending the swearing-in of Aminu Yusuf by President Bola Tinubu.
The brief but symbolic ceremony held at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja was attended by Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, Directors, and staff of the commission.
In a statement issued by the commission on Wednesday, Kwarra expressed gratitude to his colleagues and subordinates for their support during his time in office.
“I appreciate the Federal Commissioners, Management and Staff of the NPC for their unwavering support and dedication throughout my five-year tenure,” he said.
Kwarra highlighted key milestones of his leadership, including strengthening data collection systems, digitising the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, and advancing preparations for the forthcoming national population and housing census.
He stressed that the progress made was possible through collective commitment and professionalism.
The handover ceremony featured the signing of official notes, the presentation of a farewell gift to Kwarra, and a group photograph to mark the day.
Dattijo, now in acting capacity, is expected to sustain ongoing initiatives until the formal assumption of office by the incoming chairman.
Kwarra, appointed in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, led the commission during preparations for Nigeria’s first population and housing census in nearly two decades.
The last census was conducted in 2006, making the forthcoming exercise a critical national priority.
Under his leadership, the NPC introduced digital mapping and enumeration area demarcation, a technological innovation designed to modernise census operations and improve accuracy.
The census, initially scheduled for 2023, was postponed due to the transition of government.
The incoming substantive chairman, Aminu Yusuf, is now expected to steer the commission toward completing the long-delayed exercise, seen as crucial for evidence-based planning and equitable national development.
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