NPC Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, Dies At 65 After Prolonged Illness

The National Population Commission, NPC, is in mourning following the death of its Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, who died on Friday at Nizamiya Hospital in Abuja after a prolonged illness.

Sources close to the commission told Series News Online that Dr. Yusuf died shortly after Jummah prayers. He was 65.
According to the source, the chairman fell ill five days ago while preparing for an official trip to Rwanda. He was rushed to Nizamiya Hospital where he was receiving treatment until his death.

The source said Dr. Yusuf had been battling diabetes-related complications for some time prior to his death.  
"He had collapsed on a number of occasions, both at his office and during public functions," the source said.
Series News Online can confirm that the chairman collapsed on March 13 during a press briefing and the official launch of the APLS 13 Report in Abuja.  

"During the event, he had difficulty breathing and remained in a sitting position before medical doctors at the venue intervened to resuscitate him," a witness at the event said. "He was subsequently taken to hospital for further treatment."
The source did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding his death.

However, the source told Series News Online that Dr. Yusuf’s remains have been transported to Minna, Niger State, for burial on Friday evening in line with Islamic rites.
Dr. Yusuf was appointed Chairman of the National Population Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2025 and was subsequently confirmed by the Senate.

He was sworn in by President Tinubu on December 3, 2025, alongside two other members of the NPC board. At the time of his swearing-in, the State House identified him as a 65-year-old.

The NPC also confirmed that Dr. Yusuf formally assumed office as chairman following his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja on December 3, 2025. According to the State House, Dr. Yusuf held a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also obtained a doctorate in International Relations from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

His death comes less than a year after he assumed leadership of the commission, which is responsible for population data, census exercises, and the registration of vital events in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the National Population Commission confirming his death.