Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria is expanding digital birth registration services as the country joins other African nations in marking Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day 2026, with authorities targeting millions of children who remain without legal proof of identity.
In a statement made available to Africa Health Report on Monday, digital birth registration services are now available in more than 6,000 of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards, with targeted interventions reaching more than 14.5 million children, including those living in rural, hard-to-reach and humanitarian settings.
The Nigeria birth registration drive involves the National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and development partners.
The initiative is being implemented increasingly through health facilities and community outreach programmes in states including Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara.
NPC Chairman Dr Aminu Yusuf, also known as Talban Wushishi, says birth registration is critical to child protection and national development.
“Every registered birth strengthens the foundation for child protection and national development,” Yusuf says.
“Our priority is to ensure that every child, regardless of where they are born, is counted, protected and recognized before the law.”
NIMC Director-General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote says integrating digital registration and identity systems can provide a continuous identity pathway from childhood into adulthood.
“Integrated digital identity systems create a seamless pathway for individuals from birth through adulthood, while improving access to services and strengthening governance,” she says.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef says birth registration provides more than legal documentation.
“Birth registration is far more than a certificate. It is a gateway to protection, services, and opportunity,” she says.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
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