Paul Okunola, who recently lost his mother, needed a death certificate to process her government benefits as a former civil servant. Despite obtaining a paper copy of the death registration from the hospital where she was treated, he was disappointed to find that the details were not digitized or easily accessible.
“It would be more beneficial if the process can be digitized and secure so that it’s without compromise, and one can access it with evidence of being the next of kin,” Okunola said.
The bigger problem: Low awareness of vital registration
Nigeria faces a broader challenge: limited public awareness of the importance of vital registration. Vital registration encompasses essential data on births, deaths, migration, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces.
UNICEF has highlighted that millions of children born without legal proof of identity do not “officially” exist. Similarly, without reliable records on deaths and migration, adequate policy planning and implementation remain in jeopardy.
Why accelerating digital vital registration matters
Experts agree that Nigeria needs a more robust and digitized vital registration system to meet its development goals:
- Awareness gap
Researcher Modupe Olusolape pointed out the lack of awareness about the importance of vital registration. - “The question of why vital registration exists, how to register, and where to register remains unanswered for many Nigerians,” she said.
Olusolape emphasized the need for a strengthened system tied to identity, which would prevent identity fraud and address cybersecurity concerns.
“People should understand why registering births or deaths is essential and know how and where to do it. The government must make the process easy to encourage participation and use the data for economic planning,” she added.
- Digital transformation
Data analyst Oluwaleke Oni described digitizing vital registration as transformative for national development. - “Modernizing life-event records can improve accessibility, ensure data accuracy, and unlock benefits that strengthen governance, boost economic growth, and promote social equity,” Oni explained.
He added that achieving this vision requires investment in infrastructure, capacity building, public awareness, and robust cybersecurity measures.
“With a comprehensive strategy, digitization will empower citizens, strengthen institutions, and drive progress across all sectors of society,” he said.
- Health data integration
Health consultant Yemi Osanyin stressed the critical role of digital records in Nigeria’s development.
“From birth registration to death records, data is central to effective planning and governance,” Osanyin said.
He noted that while some progress has been made in digitizing records, challenges such as interoperability and slow implementation persist.
Government efforts on birth registration
In September 2024, the Nigerian government launched an online birth registration initiative, but awareness remains low.
An officer at Ologuneru Primary Health Centre in Ibadan explained that only designated centers handle online registrations. For example, Ido Local Government Area, with a land mass of 986 square kilometers and over 103,000 residents, has only four registration centers—a significant barrier to accessibility.
Furthermore, the National Population Commission (NPC) outlined a self-service option requiring a 10-step process. However, with digital literacy among Nigerians at only 50-60%, experts argue the policy lacks inclusivity.
Challenges in implementation
Sola Oguntowo, NPC officer-in-charge at Ido LGA, acknowledged that while digitalization started in 2023, certificates were still not issued digitally.
“The database of births is being created, but access to collected data is restricted,” he explained.
This limitation raises questions about how to register those born outside hospitals or those who die without accessing medical care.
The way forward
Experts and stakeholders continue to urge the Nigerian government to prioritize vital registration as a cornerstone of security and development. Strengthening the digital infrastructure and raising awareness are essential steps toward achieving this goal.
“Vital registration is not just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s pivotal to ensuring Nigeria’s development and security,” Olusolape concluded.
NANFeatures.
