CANADA'S HIGH COMMISSION ENGAGES WITH NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION ON BIRTH CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION

Today, 5th March 2025, the Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra welcomed a delegation from the High Commission of Canada at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja. The delegation, led by First Secretary - Immigration, Ms. Yolanda Gray, sought to deepen their understanding of Nigeria's birth registration and certification processes.

The meeting focused on several key areas, including the procedures for birth registration and attestation, the issuance of birth certificates, and the verification of their authenticity.

During the meeting, the NPC Chairman, Hon. Kwarra provided a comprehensive overview of the NPC’s operations, emphasizing the Commission’s recent strides in digitizing the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. He explained that the NPC in partnership with Barnksforte Technologies Limited developed and launched a robust digital application known as VITALREG to power e-CRVS system.

Hon. Kwarra disclosed that the NPC website offers a platform for embassies and High Commissions to facilitate quicker verification of birth certificates and attestations. He further revealed that legislative amendments are currently underway to bolster this e-CRVS initiative.

“The upcoming biometric Population and Housing Census will significantly enhance the e-CRVS system,” Hon. Kwarra noted, highlighting its potential to streamline the verification process for birth certificates and attestations.

Canadian High Commission's First Secretary for Immigration, Ms. Yolanda Gray praised the NPC's achievements in modernizing birth registration, noting that these advancements facilitate faster and more efficient verification of documents as well as enhance data integrity.

“The digitalization efforts are commendable and will undoubtedly benefit both citizens and the government,” she stated.

The meeting also included key NPC officials, such as Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, various directors and technical staff, who contributed to the discussions and showcased the Commission's commitment to improving Nigeria's civil registration framework.

This engagement not only strengthens bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada but also marks a pivotal step towards enhancing the efficiency of Nigeria's population and civil registration systems.