‎As Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, FCISON, FPAN, FGEOSON, FNCA, is celebrated on the occasion of his 66th birthday anniversary, it is important to reflect on his remarkable journey of leadership at the National Population Commission (NPC). Since he was appointed Chairman in 2020, Hon. Kwarra has redefined the Commission’s role in driving national planning and sustainable development through innovation, digital transformation, and strategic reforms. 

‎Here are 66 outstanding achievements — one for each year of his life — that showcase his impact on the Commission and Nigeria at large: 

‎1. Completed Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD): Under his leadership, the NPC successfully completed the Mapping of 774 LGAs in preparation for the upcoming Population and Housing Census. Before he assumed office as the Chairman, the Commission had only managed to demarcate slightly above 200 LGAs in 6 years.

‎2. Conducted Pretests and Trial Census: Successfully executed the 1st and 2nd Pretests and a Trial Census to test methodology and processes.

‎3. Introduced Trial Post Enumeration Survey (PES): First-of-its-kind exercise to measure census coverage accuracy.

‎4. Finalized Compendium of Localities: Finalized and presented a comprehensive list of localities to community leaders and the LGA Chairmen.

‎5. Digital National Frame: Established a sustainable Digital National Frame which can be easily updated from time to time and shared with various agencies.

‎6. Acquired ESRI Enterprise License: Secured access to advanced GIS tools for data management.

‎7. Digitized Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) System: Transformed birth and death registration to an electronic system in partnership with UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.

‎8. Created VITALREG Platform: He spearheaded the development of an integrated digital platform known as VITALREG for registration of civil and vital statistics such as births, deaths, migration, marriages, divorces, etc.

‎9. Developed Bespoke Census App: The Commission developed a home-grown bespoke hybrid Census App for efficient data collection and integration.

‎10. Introduced Green Census Initiative: Ensured eco-friendly, sustainable processes in census operations.

‎11. Included Climate Change Indicators: Included climate change-related questions that would help in evaluating its awareness and impact at the household into census instruments.

‎12. E-Recruitment Process: Digitized the recruitment of census functionaries nationwide.

‎13. Trained Census Functionaries: Oversaw training of 61,548 personnel on census methodology and processes, who would have trained 628,937 Enumerators and 127,177 Supervisors before the census was postponed.

‎14. Data Quality Management:  Data Quality Managers were constituted and trained to enhance the integrity of census data.

‎15. Procured 760,000 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): The Commission procured these PDAs and stored them in CBN offices nationwide in preparation for the next census.

‎16. Established Situation Room: A well-equipped central hub to manage and monitor census activities.

‎17. Launched Census Call Center: Provided real-time feedback channels for public enquiries and concerns.

‎18. Created Census Dashboard: A Tool for monitoring census execution across the country.

‎19. Revived NPC Headquarters Project: Fast-tracked completion of long-abandoned headquarters in Abuja.

‎20. Constructed 21 New State Offices: Expanded the Commission’s infrastructure nationwide.

‎21. Renovated 16 Existing State Offices: Modernized facilities to improve operations.

‎22. Expanded NPC Permanent Offices to 774 LGAs: Initiated permanent office accommodations at the LGA level.

‎23. Equipped NPC LGA Offices: Furnished every NPC LGA office with digital tools such as laptops and printers for e-CRVS and census tasks.

‎24. Installed Solar Energy Systems: For the first time, NPC Headquarters and all 36 State offices and the FCT now have solar power, promoting sustainability and efficiency.

‎25. Constructed Digital Data Centres: Constructed state-of-the-art, well-equipped and functional digital Data Centres in Kaduna and Abuja with plans for zonal expansion.

‎26. Revised National Population Policy: Under his leadership, the NPC coordinated the formulation and implementation of the revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development.

‎27. Launched National Geospatial Data Repository: President Tinubu launched the National Geospatial Data Repository, an electronic portal that warehouses national geographic data developed by the NPC through the EAD exercise carried out in all 774 LGAs.

‎28. Inauguration of the National Coordination Committee for CRVS: He successfully secured the buy-in of President Tinubu to establish and inaugurate the National Coordination Committee comprising stakeholders across relevant federal ministries and agencies to ensure efficient functioning of the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) system.

‎29. Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthened collaborations with traditional leaders, MDAs, and international organizations to support census initiatives and other activities of the Commission.

‎30. Nationwide Advocacy Campaigns: Visited and engaged critical stakeholders across the country, including President Tinubu, former presidents of Nigeria, Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, Chairmen of Population Committees in the National Assembly, Chief Justice of Nigeria, SGF, State Governors, Honourable Ministers and Heads of Agencies, prominent Nigerians, traditional and religious leaders, CSOs, development partners and media executives to galvanise support for the upcoming census and other NPC activities.

‎31. Organized High-Level Stakeholder Summit for the Next Census: This was conducted at the national level and in all 36 States.

‎32. Open-Door Leadership Policy: Fostered an inclusive and approachable leadership culture. 

‎33. Promotions & Improved Allowances: Secured a 34.6% increment in staff remuneration through census allowance. 

‎34. Capacity Building Initiatives: Provided staff with local and international training opportunities. 

‎35. Enhanced Staff Mobility: Acquired buses for staff transport and official vehicles for Directors. 

‎36. Boosted Staff Morale: Cultivated a motivated workforce, driving higher productivity.

‎37. Revolutionized Monitoring and Evaluation: Digitized M&E processes, improving real-time data collection and project monitoring.

‎38. Produced Compendium of National Historical Events: Strengthened tools for age estimation and vulnerable group mapping for better census accuracy.

‎39. Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS): Under his leadership, the NPC successfully conducted NMIS in 2021.

‎40. Fertility and Health Expectation Survey (FHES): Under his leadership, the NPC successfully conducted the FHES in 2022.

‎41. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS): Under his leadership, the NPC successfully conducted the NDHS from 2023 to 2024.

‎42. Verbal and Social Autopsy Study (VASA): Under his leadership, the NPC successfully conducted the VASA in 2024.

‎43. Mini Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (Mini-NDHS): Under his leadership, the NPC has started the process of conducting the mini-NDHS this 2025.

‎44. National and International Recognition: Gained goodwill and support from international partners, enhancing the Commission’s capacity for data management.

‎45. Amendment of NPC Act: Initiated reforms to strengthen the legal framework for digital census and CRVS.

‎46. Achieved International Best Practices: Aligned Nigeria’s CRVS system with international standards and agreements.

‎47. Expanded NPC’s Digital Footprint: Built platforms for faster data collection and dissemination.

‎48. Strengthened International Partnerships: Collaborated with UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank for technical support and capacity building.

‎49. Data-Driven Policy Development: Enhanced the Commission’s role in national planning through accurate data provision.

‎50. Timely Data Provision: Ensured the delivery of essential data for government planning and interventions.

‎51. National Identity Number Integration: Collaborated with the NIMC for streamlined national identity and seamless data sharing.

‎52. Forged Decentralized Birth Registration Compact: Partnered with ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF, and Barnksforte for grassroot-level identity systems.

‎53. Promoted Data Integration & Interoperability: Linked CRVS with primary healthcare and identity systems.

‎54. Maintained High Standards of Data Quality: Implemented rigorous quality assurance processes for data collection.

‎55. Promoted Research and Development: Supported research initiatives that contribute to national development goals.

‎56. Enhanced Public Trust: Restored confidence in NPC as a reliable data authority. 

‎57. Strengthened Organizational Culture: Promoted innovation, accountability, and service excellence within the Commission.

‎58. Innovative Data Visualization Techniques: Introduced new methods for presenting data to stakeholders.

‎59. Enhanced Collaboration with Academia: Partnered with universities for research and training opportunities.

‎60. Forged Renewed Hope Initiative Partnership: Partnered with First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative to accelerate nationwide birth registration and certification.

‎61. North Central Regional Conference: Successfully organised the North Central Regional Conference on Population Dynamics, Security, Climate Change, Out-of-School Children and Vulnerable Children (Almajiri, Children in Lumbering and Mining, etc,).

‎62. Braille Transcription of Census Documents: Made census publications accessible to visually impaired citizens.

‎63. Implemented Accessibility Initiatives for PWDs: Improved facilities in NPC offices.

‎64. ESRI Special Achievement in GIS Award: Under his leadership, the NPC won the 2022 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the ESRI International User Conference on GIS in San Diego, USA.

‎65. Distinguished GovTech Traiblazer’s Award: Under his leadership, the NPC won the Distinguished GovTech Traiblazer’s Award at the 2024 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards in recognition of the NPC’s significant contributions to the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda in the public sector.

‎66. Best Federal MDA Mobile Application Award: Under his leadership, the NPC won the Best Federal MDA Mobile Application Award at the 2024 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards.

‎As he turns 66, these 66 milestones bear witness to a life dedicated to service, nation-building, and innovation. 

‎May Allah grant him continued health, wisdom, and fulfilment. Happy birthday to our Digital Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra!

‎—Stanley Onyeka Nwosu, mnipr, a Communication Strategist, Political Economist and Development Expert, is the NPC New Media Manager.

‎