NPC Chairman Aminu Yusuf Dies at 66

• National Population Commission Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, has died in Abuja at the age of 66 after a brief illness, just nine Months After appointment

• Yusuf, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025, had been leading efforts to reposition the commission through a seven-point agenda.

• The former Niger State lawmaker and Wushishi council chairman was widely described by the NPC as a dedicated public servant committed to strengthening Nigeria’s demographic data system.

• His death comes at a critical period for the commission as it works to improve the country’s population data and strengthen planning for national development.

August 28, () — The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf, has died at the age of 66, barely nine months after President Bola Tinubu appointed him to lead the federal agency responsible for Nigeria’s population data.

Yusuf died in Abuja on Friday following a brief illness, the commission announced in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Adelayo Olurode.

According to Olurode, Yusuf died after a brief illness at the age of 66.

“The commission has lost a dedicated patriot, an astute administrator, and a compassionate leader whose commitment to national development and the generation of reliable demographic data was unwavering,” she said.

Yusuf was sworn in as the eighth substantive Chairman of the NPC by President Tinubu on December 3, 2025.

Following his assumption of office, he unveiled and championed a Seven-Point Agenda designed to reposition the commission and strengthen its capacity to generate reliable population and demographic data for national planning.

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His tenure, although brief, came at a time when accurate population statistics remained central to government planning, resource allocation, infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education and other aspects of national policy.

Yusuf’s Public Service Career

Born on April 15, 1960, in Wushishi, Niger State, Yusuf, also known as the Talban Wushishi, had a long record of public service spanning education, local government administration, politics and community development.

He previously served as Executive Chairman of Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State and was also a Member-elect of the Niger State House of Assembly.

Yusuf also served as a Board Member of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as well as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Niger State.

Before he was appointed NPC Chairman, he was the National President of the Niger State College of Education Alumni Association, Minna.

He also served as Co-Chairman of the Senator Abubakar Sani Bello Skill Acquisition and Development Committee.

The NPC said his experience across different areas of public administration and community development contributed to his approach to leading the commission.

Olurode said the commission’s leadership and staff were deeply saddened by Yusuf’s death, describing him as a leader whose commitment to national development remained unwavering.

She conveyed the condolences of the Federal Commissioners, Director-General, management and entire staff of the commission to President Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Niger State Government and the people of the state.

“On behalf of the Honourable Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, management, and entire staff of the National Population Commission, we extend our deepest condolences,” she said.

The commission also commiserated with members of Yusuf’s immediate family, friends, associates and other people who worked closely with him during his public service career.

Olurode prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive Yusuf’s shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and give his family, friends and associates the strength to bear the loss.