The Chairman of Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf Wushishi, has died at the age of 66, barely eight months after assuming office.
Yusuf died in Abuja on Friday, 28 August 2026, following a brief illness, according to the NPC. The Commission described his death as a major loss to the organisation and the country.
Born on 15 April 1960 in Wushishi, Niger State, Yusuf was sworn in as the eighth substantive chairman of the NPC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2025.
His death comes at a particularly significant time for the Commission, which is responsible for producing vital population and demographic data used for national planning and development.
During his brief tenure, Yusuf, also known as Talban Wushishi, pursued an agenda aimed at repositioning the NPC and strengthening its capacity to deliver reliable population data.
Before his appointment to the federal commission, Yusuf held several public positions. 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 as a board member of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Niger State Governor.
News of his death has triggered an outpouring of grief in Niger State, with political associates and public officials describing him as a committed public servant.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described his death as a “great shock” and a “colossal loss” to the state and Nigeria, particularly at a time when preparations for the long-awaited national population and housing census remain a major national priority.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also expressed sadness over Yusuf’s death, describing him as a committed public servant whose passing was a painful loss to the NPC, the public service and the country.
The circumstances surrounding his death were initially unclear, although the NPC and other reports subsequently confirmed that he died after a brief illness.
Yusuf is survived by his family. Further details concerning his funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family and the Commission.
