Nigeria has reached a significant milestone by registering over 14.5 million children as part of an aggressive push to provide every citizen with a legal identity. This effort coincides with the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) commemoration, signaling the start of a decade-long initiative to modernize record-keeping across the continent.
The National Population Commission (NPC) confirmed that digital birth registration is currently operational in over 6,000 of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards. NPC Chairman Dr. Aminu Yusuf emphasized that the commission is committed to universal recognition, ensuring that a child’s location does not prevent them from being legally counted and protected. By linking registration to health facilities and community programs, the government aims to simplify the process for families in remote areas.
Registration serves as the primary gateway for children to access essential services such as education, healthcare, and social support. Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), highlighted that integrating these digital systems creates a continuous identity path from infancy to adulthood. This sentiment was echoed by UNICEF Representative Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, who noted that birth certificates represent far more than just paper documents; they are fundamental to upholding a child’s basic rights.
Collaboration between the NPC, NIMC, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and various development partners remains central to this strategy. Leaders like Hon. Bello Lawal of ALGON highlighted that decentralizing these services is vital for reaching underserved communities, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo of the House Committee on the NPC stressed that political commitment is necessary to improve national planning. Despite this progress, millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa still lack legal identities, underscoring the urgency of Nigeria’s current efforts to improve vital statistics and governance.
