JUST IN: Ahead Of Census, Tinubu Appoints 20 Federal Commissioners For NPC

President Bola Tinubu has appointed 20 individuals to serve as federal commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) ahead of Nigeria’s much anticipated national population census.

The appointment was announced late Wednesday by Tinubu’s senior media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, who revealed that nine of the appointees were being reappointed for a second term.

This came hours after the President unveiled the Digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) and the National Geospatial Data Repository — an initiative aimed at eliminating traditional paper-based recording of vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, among others.

The appointees are as follows:

1. Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke — Abia
2. Dr. Clifford Zirra — Adamawa (Reappointed)
3. Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke — Anambra (Reappointed)
4. Barr. Isa Audu Buratai — Borno (Reappointed)
5. Bishop Alex Ukam — Cross River
6. Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba — Delta
7. Dr. Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu — Ebonyi
8. Dr. Tony Aiyejina — Edo (Reappointed)
9. Mr. Ejike Ezeh — Enugu (Reappointed)
10. Mr. Abubakar Damburam — Gombe (Reappointed)
11. Prof. Uba Nnabue — Imo (Reappointed)
12. Ms. Sa’adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba — Kaduna
13. Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa — Kano
14. Hon. Yori Afolabi — Kogi
15. Hon. Olakunle Sobukola — Ogun
16. Hon. Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi — Ondo
17. Sen. Mudashiru Hussain — Osun (Reappointed)
18. Ms. Mary Ishaya Afan — Plateau
19. Mr. Ogiri Itotenaan Henry — Rivers
20. Mr. Saany Sale — Taraba (Reappointed)

Earlier on Wednesday, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of accurate population data in addressing the nation’s challenges and achieving its developmental goals.

Tinubu, during the launch of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System, National Geospatial Data Repository, and the National Coordination Committee on the CRVS at the State House on Wednesday, expressed his commitment to supporting the NPC in fulfilling its mandate, especially concerning the upcoming national population census.

The previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari had released the sum of N200 billion in preparation for the national census.

Nigeria’s last national census was conducted 17 years ago in 2006, with the population then estimated at 140 million. However, the country’s population is now believed to have exceeded 200 million, hence the need for an up-to-date and precise population census to inform policy and decision-making in the country.