NPC, BARNKSFORTE, UNICEF PARTNER TO IMPROVE VITALREG SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

As part of efforts to improve electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) and integrate data from multiple systems in a cost-effective way in Nigeria, the National Population Commission in collaboration with the Barnksforte Technologies Limited and UNICEF organized a 3-day retreat in Abuja from 14th – 16th February 2024 to brainstorm, fine-tuned and perfect the newly introduced digital VitalReg self-services on NPC website: www.nationalpopulation.gov.ng

VitalReg is a state-of-the-art digital application where you can register significant civil events and vital statistics such as birth registration, still-birth registration, death registration, birth attestation, diaspora birth and death notification, marriage and divorce notification, migration registration, vital certificate verification and hospital onboarding.

The VitalReg system provides a digital certificate in all cases, and accessible verification platform to registered organizations, and a central management system (dashboard) that depicts and analyze collated civil registrations into vital statistics for proper planning and decision-making.

VitalReg system is a transformative innovation by the NPC through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the Commission and Barnksforte Technologies Limited - a reputable, and innovative local ICT solution provider with a track record of success in ICT solution provision with government agencies.

While making remarks during the retreat, NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra stated that VitalReg marks a departure from traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms with international best practices.

‘VitalReg promises to revolutionize how vital events are recorded, tracked, and analyzed in the country,’ he said.

Hon. Kwarra further stated that the Commission has the constitutional mandate to establish and maintain machinery for continuous and universal registration of births and deaths throughout the Federation.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Barnksforte Technologies Limited, Adedayo Bankole thanked the Commission and the Federal Government for the opportunity to provide the technology solution in digitalizing civil registration and vital statistics in Nigeria, adding that they will continue to improve the application as issues arise to boost efficient data generation and vital statistics in the country.

Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Nigeria, Ibrahim Sessay, noted that the scaling up the automation of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics process in Nigeria is in line with the resolutions and recommendations of the Conference of African Ministers responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from 24 to 27 October 2022 for all countries in the continent to automate the CRVS process and ensure the implementation of the United Nations Legal Identity Agenda.

He applauded the Commission’s efforts to increase birth registration coverage in the country and ensure that every child born in the country is registered.

Meanwhile, the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (e-CRVS) was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 8th November 2023 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja which also witnessed the launch of the National Geospatial Data Repository and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS.