The National Population Commission (NPC) reports that only 40 percent of the five million children born annually in Nigeria receive formal birth registration. During the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day held in Abuja, NPC Chairman Dr. Aminu Yusuf highlighted this low coverage as a significant obstacle to maintaining an accurate national database.
To address these shortcomings, the NPC launched a digital registration platform on July 1, 2026, transitioning from manual processes to a technology-based system. This platform aims to securely track births, deaths, and marriages while enhancing data reliability for government planning. Dr. Yusuf noted that the commission is decentralizing its services to better serve rural areas, with active centers currently in 4,000 of the nation’s 8,809 wards. Plans are underway to expand this to 8,000 centers to eliminate geographical barriers.
Collaboration efforts are also intensifying. The NPC has partnered with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, the National Identity Management Commission, and UNICEF to streamline registration. Furthermore, the agency is working with health sectors to integrate registration into routine medical services.
UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection, Natalie McCauley, emphasized that birth registration is a fundamental right that secures a child’s access to education and legal protection. She praised the ongoing digital expansion and encouraged continued integration across public service sectors to ensure that no child remains unregistered.
