Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every child is registered at birth and recognised by law as the country joins the rest of Africa to commemorate Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day 2026.
Observed under the theme, “New CRVS Decade (2026–2036): Consolidating the Gains of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (APAI-CRVS) and Securing the Future of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Africa through Integration, Decentralization and Digitalization,” this year’s commemoration highlights the critical role of legal identity in protecting children’s rights and strengthening national development.
Birth registration is a child’s first legal recognition by the state. It provides proof of identity and lays the foundation for access to healthcare, education, social protection and legal protection throughout life. It also generates vital data needed for effective planning and service delivery.
Nigeria continues to strengthen its CRVS system through collaboration among the National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), development partners and communities.
According to NPC administrative data, digital birth registration services are now available in more than 6,000 of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards, while targeted registration efforts have reached more than 14.5 million children, including those in rural, hard-to-reach and humanitarian settings.
In Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states, registration services are increasingly being linked to health facilities and community outreach initiatives, bringing services closer to families and helping ensure that more children are registered closer to the point of birth.
“Every registered birth strengthens the foundation for child protection and national development,” said Dr. Aminu Yusuf (Talban Wushishi), Chairman of the NPC.
“Our priority is to ensure that every child, regardless of where they are born, is counted, protected and recognised by law.”
As Nigeria advances its legal identity agenda, digitalisation and stronger integration between civil registration and identity management systems are improving the efficiency, accessibility and reliability of registration services.
According to Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, “integrated digital identity systems create a seamless pathway for individuals from birth through adulthood, while improving access to services and strengthening governance.”
Local governments also play a critical role in expanding access to registration services and raising awareness at the community level.
“Decentralization is essential to ensuring that children in remote and underserved communities are not left behind,” said Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON.
“Bringing services closer to families increases access and encourages timely registration.”
The importance of sustained political commitment was emphasised by Okunjimi John Odimayo, Chairman of the House Committee on the National Population Commission.
He noted that “strong civil registration and vital statistics systems support better planning, more effective service delivery and improved development outcomes for all Nigerians.”
Despite the progress, significant challenges remain across the continent. Current estimates indicate that only about half of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are registered at birth, with the region accounting for the largest share of unregistered children globally.
For UNICEF, strengthening birth registration systems remains fundamental to realising children’s rights and ensuring that no child is invisible.
“Birth registration is far more than a certificate. It is a gateway to protection, services and opportunity,” said Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.
“UNICEF will continue working with the Government of Nigeria and partners to strengthen integrated, decentralised and digitalised systems that ensure every child is counted, protected and able to access their rights.”
As Africa enters a new decade of CRVS systems strengthening, Nigeria remains committed to expanding access to birth registration, improving vital statistics and ensuring that every child has a legal identity from birth.
