Kwarra Officially Hands Over to Dattijo as New NPC Chairman

On Tuesday, Nasir Kwarra, the National Population Commission’s (NPC) chairman, formally ended his five-year term by transferring the commission’s leadership to Muhammad Dattijo, the Federal Commissioner for Niger State.

According to reports, Dattijo will act as chairman while President Bola Tinubu swears in Aminu Yusuf.

Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, Directors, and commission personnel attended the short but symbolic ceremony at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja.

Kwarra thanked his coworkers and subordinates for their support while he was in office in a statement released by the commission on Wednesday.

“I am grateful to the Federal Commissioners, Management, and Staff of the NPC for their steadfast support and commitment during my five-year tenure,” he stated.

Strengthening data collection systems, digitizing the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, and accelerating preparations for the upcoming national population and housing census were among the major achievements under Kwarra’s leadership.

He emphasized that professionalism and group dedication made the progress feasible.

During the handover ceremony, official letters were signed, Kwarra received a parting gift, and a group photo was taken to commemorate the occasion.

It is anticipated that Dattijo, in his interim capacity, will continue ongoing initiatives until the new chairman formally takes office.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Kwarra in 2020, and he oversaw the commission as Nigeria prepared for its first housing and population census in almost 20 years.

The upcoming census is an urgent national concern because the last one was carried out in 2006.

Under his direction, the NPC implemented digital mapping and enumeration area demarcation, a technological advancement intended to enhance accuracy and modernize census operations.

The government change caused the census, which was originally planned for 2023, to be delayed.

It is now anticipated that Aminu Yusuf, the new substantive chairman, will lead the commission to finish the long-overdue task, which is thought to be essential for equitable national development and evidence-based planning.