The Federal government of Nigeria has revealed birth registration plans to digitally register 12.7 million under-five children in 2023.
Matthew Sunday, the Director of the Vital Registration Department at the National Population Commission (NPC), revealed that the government aims to reduce the burden of unregistered children under the age of five, which remains a significant challenge in many African countries, including Nigeria.
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Birth registrations are to be done in stages
The digitization process will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, the commission plans to register 8.08 million children in 22 priority states, while in the second phase, 4.6 million children will be registered in other states.
This initiative, implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), aims to increase the percentage of children with birth certificates. Currently, the birth registration rate is 33% nationwide, 63% in urban areas, and 32% in rural areas.
According to Sunday, birth registration is considered complete only when a birth certificate is issued. The registration and certification process is crucial for recognizing a child's existence and identity while safeguarding their rights from birth.
NPC, UNICEF partnership already yielding results
The partnership between the NPC and UNICEF has already commenced in Kano, where the digitization process is targeting the registration of one million children.
The efforts made by the Nigerian government have started yielding positive results. As per UNICEF, 57% of children under the age of five are now registered (approximately 19.6 million children), compared to 47% in 2016/17.
The country has been able to register over 31 million births digitally, making it easier to track and plan for services such as healthcare and education.
This has been made possible through the use of mobile technology, which has allowed for more efficient data collection and management. The digitization process has also helped to reduce the incidence of errors and fraudulent registrations. However, there are still challenges to be addressed; there is still a disparity in registration rates based on the children's place of residence and household income, with rural areas and poorer households exhibiting lower registration rates.
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Birth registration data aids govt planning
Sunday emphasized the importance of birth registration data for government planning and providing essential services such as healthcare, education, and social services.
It helps governments track population growth, monitor public health trends, and allocate resources effectively.
Digitizing birth registration will also make it easier to manage and analyze the data, reducing errors and fraudulent registrations.
However, challenges remain in ensuring access to technology and proper data security. Without proper birth registration, individuals may face difficulties in accessing basic services, obtaining identification, and exercising their legal rights.
He, therefore, noted that it is essential to ensure that every child's birth is registered and the data is secure and accessible.
He also highlighted the need for extensive social mobilization efforts in collaboration with stakeh hiolders, particularly the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to raise awareness about birth registration among the population.
