The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Dr Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as the new Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and endorsed the grant of presidential pardon to 175 inmates across the country.
Briefing State House correspondents after Thursday’s Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the Council’s decisions followed recommendations made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who presided over the meeting.
Governor Sani disclosed that the Council also confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Tonga Betara Bularafa as the Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.
“Today, 9th October 2025, the Council of State meeting was held earlier, and one of the major decisions taken was the appointment of the Chairman of the National Population Commission,” Governor Sani said. “The person appointed based on the recommendation by Mr President, who chaired the Council of State, is Dr Aminu Yusuf from Niger State.”
He added that both appointments received unanimous approval from members of the Council.
According to Sani, the meeting was attended by former Presidents and Heads of State, including Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as governors and other key members of the Council.
Council Endorses Presidential Clemency
The Kaduna governor further revealed that the Council also deliberated on the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of President Tinubu.
“After deliberation, the Council unanimously approved the recommendations for the different categories of the prerogative of mercy,” Sani said.
Providing a breakdown of the approvals, he explained that 82 inmates received presidential pardons, 65 had their prison terms reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
“The total number approved under the prerogative of mercy is 175, as recommended by Mr President and presented to the Council by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice,” the governor stated.
The Council of State serves as an advisory body to the President on key national matters, including appointments, national honours, and the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
