National Population Commission Chairman Aminu Yusuf Dies At 66

The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf, has died at the age of 66.

Yusuf, also known as Talban Wushishi, reportedly died in Abuja on Friday, August 28, 2026, after a brief illness.

His death was announced by the National Population Commission in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Adelayo Olurode.

Yusuf was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 3, 2025, as the eighth substantive chairman of the commission.

Despite his relatively brief tenure, the late chairman had begun implementing an agenda focused on repositioning the commission and strengthening its capacity to produce reliable demographic data for national planning.

The commission described him as a dedicated patriot, astute administrator and compassionate leader whose commitment to national development remained unwavering.

Born on April 15, 1960, in Wushishi, Niger State, Yusuf had a long record of public service spanning education, governance, grassroots politics and community development.

Before his appointment as NPC chairman, he served as Executive Chairman of Wushishi Local Government Area and was a Member-elect of the Niger State House of Assembly.

He also served on the board of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and was Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Niger State, among other public positions.

Until his appointment to the NPC, Yusuf was the National President of the Niger State College of Education Alumni Association, Minna, and Co-Chairman of the Senator Abubakar Sani Bello Skill Acquisition and Development Committee.

His appointment to lead the NPC came at a critical period as Nigeria prepares for another national census and seeks to improve the quality and reliability of demographic information used for planning and development.

Yusuf had pledged to pursue a transparent and credible population census, with greater emphasis on technology and accurate data collection.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described his death as a painful loss to the NPC, the public service and the nation.

Idris said Yusuf assumed office with a clear vision of delivering a credible and technology-driven Population and Housing Census capable of providing reliable demographic data for effective national planning. (Voice of Nigeria)

The NPC extended condolences to President Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Government and people of Niger State, as well as members of the deceased’s family.

Yusuf’s death comes less than nine months after he assumed leadership of the commission, cutting short his efforts to implement his reform agenda and prepare the institution for its next major national assignment.

The commission prayed that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and give his family, friends, colleagues and associates the strength to bear the loss.

The passing of the NPC chairman is expected to trigger a transition process within the commission as the Federal Government considers a successor to lead the agency at a crucial stage in Nigeria’s population and demographic planning.

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