By Tekena Amieyeofori
The National Population Commission (NPC) has flagged Nigeria’s low birth registration rate, saying only about 40 per cent of births in the country are currently captured, even though more than five million children are born every year.
The Commission made this known in Abuja during activities rolled out to mark the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day.
Speaking at the event, NPC Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, said poor coverage of birth and death records continues to undermine efforts to build an accurate and comprehensive national population database.
He noted, however, that the Commission had taken a significant step to address the problem with the nationwide rollout of a fully digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system on the Vital Rights Platform on July 1, 2026.
According to him, the move signals the end of paper-based registration and the start of a technology-driven approach to civil records in Nigeria.
He explained that the digital system is designed to enable fast and secure recording of births, deaths, marriages and other vital events. It will also supply credible data to support governance, planning and sustainable development.
Yusuf said the platform will enhance the storage and protection of vital records, cut down duplication through automated verification and unique identifiers, and allow seamless data exchange with health facilities, identity management bodies, planning agencies and statistical institutions.
“More than five million children are born in Nigeria every year. According to the most recent Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, only about 40 per cent of births are registered, while death registration coverage remains unacceptably low.
“These statistics underscore the urgent need to accelerate registration coverage through sustainable public awareness, stronger partnerships and increased community participation,” he said.
The NPC boss added that the Commission is decentralising services to bring registration closer to citizens, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
He disclosed that over 4,000 functional registration centres are already operating across the 774 local government areas. An expansion drive is also underway to raise the number to about 8,000 centres nationwide.
According to Yusuf, the expansion is intended to reduce the distance, cost and time required to access registration, and to ensure no child or vital event is left out due to location.
He further stated that the NPC has deepened collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), UNICEF, and BAMFOR Technologies Limited through a partnership agreement signed in January 2025.
The Commission is also working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state governments and health facilities to embed birth registration into routine healthcare, so that newborns can be registered close to where they are delivered.
Also speaking at the event, UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Child Protection, Natalie McCauley, said birth registration is a basic child right and represents the first legal acknowledgment of a child by the state.
McCauley noted that a birth certificate serves as proof of identity and opens the door to healthcare, education, social protection and legal safeguards throughout a child’s life.
She applauded Nigeria’s progress in expanding digital birth registration, pointing out that the service is now accessible in more than 4,000 wards, including rural, hard-to-reach and humanitarian areas.
She called on government and partners to prioritise three areas as Africa begins a new decade of CRVS: integration, decentralization and digitalization.
According to her, civil registration systems must link effectively with health, identity, social protection and education systems, while services must be taken closer to families, particularly in remote communities.
“Every registered birth strengthens child protection. Every registered child becomes more visible to the systems designed to serve and protect them,” she said.
McCauley reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian government and partners to strengthen birth registration systems, boost public awareness, and ensure that no child is left behind.