The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has appointed Sidiki Coulibaly as its new representative in Nigeria, said a statement issued by the organization on Wednesday.

The new representative succeeds Niangoran Essan, who is now director in the UNFPA Country Support Team in Harare, Zimbabwe, the statement added.

Coulibaly, a Burkinabe, is a demographer and has been working for the fund since 1991, according to the statement.

Coulibaly, a doctorate degree holder in demography, worked as a lecturer and has been an administrative and technical director to many international institutions.

He served as UNFPA representative in seven African countries before assuming duty in Nigeria. His last posting was in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UNFPA is an international development agency which promotes the right of individuals to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity as well as provides population data for policy-making and programs to reduce poverty.

Source: Xinhua