Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring every child is registered at birth and legally recognised, as Africa begins a new decade of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS).
The 2026 CRVS Day is being observed under the theme, “New CRVS Decade (2026–2036): Consolidating the Gains of APAI-CRVS and Securing the Future of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Africa through Integration, Decentralization and Digitalization.”
The National Population Commission (NPC) said digital birth registration services are now available in more than 6,000 of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards, while targeted registration initiatives have reached over 14.5 million children, including those in rural, hard-to-reach and humanitarian communities.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), development partners and communities.
The NPC Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, said every registered birth strengthens child protection and national development, stressing the need to ensure that every child is counted, protected and recognised by law.
NIMC and ALGON also highlighted the importance of digitalisation and decentralisation in bringing registration services closer to families, particularly in underserved communities.
UNICEF reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s efforts, describing birth registration as a gateway to protection, essential services and opportunities.
