It is with profound gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Most Merciful and Most Beneficent, that I stand before you today, with my heart filled with humility, honour and a deep sense of duty, as I assume the responsibility of serving as Chairman of this esteemed Commission, an institution at the very center of Nigeria’s development journey.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finding me worthy of this great responsibility and for similarly entrusting the two Honourable Federal Commissioners representing Nasarawa and Yobe States, who have also been sworn in today. Our appointments reflect the President’s faith in integrity, competence and commitment to national service. This trust is both a privilege and a solemn responsibility, one I pledge to uphold with unwavering dedication.
During our swearing-in earlier today, Mr. President delivered a charge that resonates deeply with clarity and purpose. He reminded us that the time has come to rebuild confidence, modernize our demographic systems and deliver a credible, transparent and technology-driven national census, a census that will not merely count people, but shape policies, drive development and guide the destiny of our nation. His words were more than instructions; they were a call to national renewal.
I wish to use this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of my predecessor, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra. Through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment, he greatly advanced Nigeria’s demographic governance and fortified the institutional foundations upon which we continue to build.
Let me affirm, however, that this mission cannot be achieved by one person alone. Its success depends on the collective commitment of all Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, as well as the management and staff of the Commission. I therefore solicit the wholehearted cooperation and support of everyone as we embark on this transformative journey together.
In line with the President’s charge, we are here to begin a new chapter, one defined by purpose and collective resolve to deliver to Nigerians credible and reliable demographic data for national development planning.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me underscore this fundamental truth: the mandate of our Commission is vast, profound and transformative. Our responsibilities extend far beyond the conduct of national censuses. We are entrusted with maintaining a robust Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, developing and preserving a comprehensive National Geospatial Frame, conducting specialized surveys that generate high-quality data and providing the government with evidence-based advice on population-related matters.
There is no denying that the task before us is formidable. It demands resilience and resolute obligation. Hence, our efforts must be guided by an unshakeable pledge to excellence, a strong sense of duty and patriotic zeal to push us not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them, leaving a legacy of achievement and credibility that will endure far beyond today.
REINFORCING INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS
My priority is to strengthen the very foundations of this Commission. Every department, state office and unit must operate with renewed synergy and a shared vision. Our structure must be strong, our processes transparent and our output reliable. We must build an institution where innovation, professionalism and efficiency are not aspirations, but defining characteristics.
As we stand at the threshold of a new era, it is not enough to make administrative declarations. We must set a strategic direction that is clear and coherent for our collective journey. The task before us is national in scope, generational in impact and deeply institutional in responsibility.
It is in this spirit that this administration introduces a Seven-Point Agenda not as a ceremonial statement, but as a strategic and operational roadmap. Each agenda is carefully designed to strengthen our internal capacity, restore public confidence and position the National Population Commission as a modern and globally competitive institution. Together, these strategic frameworks will form the backbone of our reform effort, a resolve that will define the credibility of Nigeria’s demographic future.
Agenda 1-Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Public Confidence
Our first priority is to deepen engagement with all stakeholders; state governments, local governments, traditional institutions, civil society, academia, private sector actors, media organizations, religious leaders and international partners. What we do here in the Commission is not a bureaucratic routine; it is a national mission. It requires listening to the people, building bridges and aligning our goals with national aspirations.
In the coming months, we will implement an extensive stakeholder engagement framework, embark on intensive advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns, including technical roundtables with key ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen collaboration. We will engage positively with our strategic partners such as the UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, and bilateral partners
Agenda 2-Census Delivery
The second pillar is the delivery of a modern, technology-driven Population and Housing Census. Conducting a national census is one of the most complex operations a country can undertake. It demands meticulous preparation, disciplined execution and uncompromising accuracy.
We are committed to delivering a census Nigerians can trust and use. Every stage from the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) updating, logistics deployment, field operations, implementing quality assurance measures, to performing Post-Enumeration Surveys (PES) will be executed with diligence and professionalism.
Our ultimate goal is to conduct a census that is digital, biometrically verified and whose outcome will be credible and reliable. It will be consistent with international best practices and United Nations principles, producing results that withstand scrutiny at home and abroad. This census will not merely count people and houses but it will be a national asset for sustainable development planning.
Agenda 3-Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Digitization
We will transform Civil Registration and Vital Statistics into a fully digital system accessible nationwide from urban centers to the most remote villages. This includes expanding registration centres from the current 4,000 and strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Health, National Identity Management Commission, state governments, local government, traditional institutions and our international partners.
A modern CRVS system is not just a statistical tool; it is the backbone of national identity, social inclusion, public health and sustainable development. Through digitization, Nigeria will finally achieve near-universal registration of all births and deaths, generating a reliable national database to inform planning across education, health, employment and future censuses.
Furthermore, the Commission, working closely with all relevant national institutions and our international development partners, will reactivate, strengthen and modernize Nigeria’s migration tracking systems. This effort will enable us to monitor internal population movements, cross-border migration trends and the demographic pressures they generate with greater accuracy.
By integrating digital tools, harmonizing data with key agencies and aligning with global best practices, we will ensure that migration data becomes a reliable pillar for national planning, security strategy, labour forecasting and social development.
Agenda 4-Infrastructure Completion and Upgrade
Every great institution needs a solid physical and technological foundation. The speedy completion of our new headquarters is an operational imperative. It will improve the administrative efficiency of the Commission, modernize workspaces, create a conducive work environment for the staff and serve as a visible symbol of the renewed NPC. I want to assure you that we will prioritize the finalization of the project within the shortest possible time.
Our commitment extends beyond the headquarters. State and local government offices will be revitalized, and ICT infrastructure upgraded to meet global standards, supporting efficiency, professionalism and uniform service delivery nationwide. Our goal is to provide every staff member with a work environment that reflects the dignity of this institution and strengthens our ability to fulfill our constitutional mandate.
Agenda 5-Data Quality, Research and National Surveys
The Commission must stand as Nigeria’s foremost demographic think tank and the nation’s trusted hub for evidence-based policy guidance. To achieve this, we will strengthen the quality and credibility of our national surveys, revitalize our research departments and uphold transparency in data collection, analysis and dissemination.
Through strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions and international development agencies, we will expand our technical capacity and elevate the impact of our research outputs.
Guesswork has no place in modern development planning. Every policy decision and national intervention must be anchored on reliable data. Our data will speak with clarity and authority, guiding government action in health, education, housing, migration, security and economic development.
Agenda 6-Strategic Population Management
“Nigeria is undergoing a profound demographic transformation marked by rapid urbanization, shifting fertility patterns, a growing youth population, increased migration flows and evolving rural–urban dynamics. These changes are reshaping the social and economic landscape of our nation. Planning for the future, therefore, requires clarity of insight and strategic foresight.
Under this agenda, the Commission will deliver robust and timely analyses of fertility, mortality, migration, urbanization and long-term population projections. These insights will inform decisions on schools, hospitals, transportation systems, housing expansion, agricultural development and critical infrastructure investments.
Population management will no longer be treated as an abstract concept. It will become a central pillar of governance, ensuring that Nigeria’s demographic future becomes a source of national strength and opportunity, rather than a burden.
Agenda 7-Institutional Strengthening, Human Capital Development and Staff Welfare
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
The success of this strategic agenda rests on one simple, undeniable truth: no institution can rise above the competence, dedication and morale of its people. Staff welfare is not a privilege. It is the very foundation of effective service.
Under this administration, we will strengthen the Commission’s structures, modernize our systems and invest boldly in the growth and development of every staff member. Continuous training, merit-based progression, unwavering adherence to ethical standards and modern administrative tools will ensure that every employee from headquarters to the most remote office is fully equipped, motivated and empowered to deliver excellence.
A motivated workforce is an asset. A neglected workforce is a liability we cannot afford. We will recognize excellence, spark innovation and cultivate a culture rooted in discipline, professionalism and accountability. Each one of us has a vital role to play. Together, we will build an institution that is not only effective but also a deeply respected workforce that embodies the integrity, competence and commitment our nation demands and deserves.
These Seven Points Agenda are not mere rhetoric; they are a roadmap, a pledge and a mission statement. They define our steadfast commitment to a National Population Commission that is trusted by Nigerians, respected across Africa and recognized globally as an institution powered by innovation, human capital, integrity and excellence.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA
To the citizens of our beloved nation, I offer this solemn and unfaltering assurance. The National Population Commission, under my leadership, will produce demographic data that is scientifically sound and transparently generated data that captures the full reality of who we are and where we stand as a country. Our mandate is too important to be handled casually and too consequential to tolerate anything less than excellence.
Our work will be guided by principles that define credible institutions,
integrity that is consistent, professionalism that inspires confidence, accountability that strengthens public trust and strict adherence to international best practices in every phase of our operations. These are not just ideals; they are the standards by which we shall be measured.
CONCLUSION
As I close this address, I must remind us that the months and years ahead will test our collective resolve and demand our creativity. We must earn the confidence of the Nigerian people not through words alone, but through our actions, the integrity of our processes and the excellence of our service.
Through discipline, transparency and steadfast adherence to the highest standards, we will show that producing reliable demographic data is not merely a technical exercise, it is a national duty, one we are fully prepared to fulfil with honour.
With your dedication, your professionalism and your staunch patriotism, we are confident that we will not only reposition this Commission but also elevate it to a position of enduring national significance, a beacon of excellence, integrity and service that future generations will look upon with pride.
May Almighty God guide every step we take, protect the National Population Commission and continue to bless our beloved nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you all for your attention
Dr. Aminu Yusuf (Talban Wushishi)
Chairman, National Population Commission