By FOLASADE AKPAN

The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Aminu Yusuf, on Wednesday, in Abuja, assumed office with a pledge to produce demographic data that is “scientifically sound and transparently generated.”

Yusuf was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu alongside the Federal Commissioners representing Nasarawa and Yobe States.

All three were appointed by Tinubu on Oct. 9, confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 21, and sworn in on Wednesday.

He said the data to be generated by the commission would “capture the full reality of who we are and where we stand as a country.”

Unveiling a seven-point agenda, he said the plans were “not mere rhetoric, but a roadmap, a pledge and a mission statement.”

He added that the agenda defined “our steadfast commitment to an NPC that is trusted by Nigerians, respected across Africa and recognised globally as an institution powered by innovation, human capital, integrity and excellence.”

On stakeholder engagement, Yusuf said the commission would deepen collaboration with state and local governments, civil society, traditional and religious leaders, academia, the media and international partners.

According to him, what the commission does is not a bureaucratic routine, but a national mission.

He added that the engagement framework, advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns would be expanded in the coming months.

Speaking on census delivery, he said the commission was committed to a modern, technology-driven and biometrically verified national census.

“We are committed to delivering a census Nigerians can trust and use,” he said, noting that every stage from the Enumeration Area Demarcation update to Post-Enumeration Surveys would be executed with diligence.

On Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS), he said the commission would build “a fully digital system accessible nationwide,” and expanded registration centres from the current 4,000.

He said digitising CRVS would strengthen national identity, social inclusion and public health planning.

He added that migration tracking systems would also be modernised to provide accurate data for security and development planning.

Yusuf said completing the new NPC headquarters was “an operational imperative,” while ICT infrastructure and state offices would be upgraded to improve efficiency and uniform service delivery.

He said the commission would strengthen the quality of national surveys and research outputs, adding that “guesswork has no place in modern development planning.”

He said reliable data must guide decisions in health, education, housing, migration, security and economic development.

On strategic population management, he noted that Nigeria was experiencing profound demographic changes marked by rapid urbanisation, shifting fertility patterns and increased migration.

The chairman, however, said the commission would provide timely analyses and projections to support decisions on schools, hospitals, transport systems, agriculture and infrastructure.

He emphasised that staff welfare and institutional strengthening were central to the seventh agenda.

“No institution can rise above the competence, dedication and morale of its people,” he said, adding that his administration would prioritise training, merit-based progression and ethical standards.

Yusuf urged staff to be steadfast and adhere to the highest standards, saying that generating reliable demographic data “is not merely a technical exercise, it is a national duty, one we are fully prepared to fulfil with honour.” (NAN)

• PHOTO: The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Aminu Yusuf, Middle, assumes office after being sworn in on Wednesday in Abuja.