NPC, UNICEF, FIRST LADY PARTNER ON BIRTH REGISTRATION

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI has partnered with the National Population Commission, NPC and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF to further ramp up birth registration in the country with the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative project to accelerate birth registration at scale in Nigeria.

NPC Chairman, Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra disclosed this after leading development partners to the office of the First Lady in Abuja.

He said that the commemorative event, scheduled for August 29, 2024, will mark a major leap in the government’s effort to offer Nigerian children their first foundational identity.

According to him, “Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day celebration took place on August 10, 2024, but we are having this as a special commemorative event with the First Lady championing this drive.

“We had a fruitful chat with her and I want to believe that we have a great event ahead of us that will mark the full force drive of birth registration to give Nigerian children their first foundational identity and recognition as our children that will grant access to government services, especially education and health.”

Chief Child Protection, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Sessay who was part of the visit described the launch as important, to close the existing gaps in birth registration and promote a data-driven development plan for children in the country.

He said, “What is critical is we have been falling short in terms of reaching that obligation. So, the Office of the First Lady through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI is a platform we are now using to ensure that every child’s birth in Nigeria starting on the 29th of August gets accelerated birth registration in all parts of the federation”.

On his part, Mr. Adedayo Bankole, the Managing Director of Barnksforte Technologies Limited, the technical partner to the National Population Commission, highlighted the digitization of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CVRS) system.

He emphasized the critical importance of establishing a foundational identity and ensuring the security of data for every child.

He further noted the system’s interoperability with other identity agencies, such as the National Identity Management Commission and its seamless access to immunization records and other government social welfare services.

Mr. Adedayo also underscored the authenticity and reliability of the national document for verification purposes.

The official launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative project to accelerate birth registration at scale in Nigeria will be held on Thursday 29th August at State House, Abuja. It will also bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including relevant MDAs, CSOs, private sectors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women's associations, youth groups, UN entities, and development partners.

The collaborative effort seeks to ensure that all births are registered, paving the way for improved governance, planning, and service delivery across Nigeria. The Renewed Hope Initiative aims to ensure that all children under 5 years are registered and receive a National Identification Number (NIN) at the point of registration.

Meanwhile, the Commission in partnership with UNICEF is currently carrying out a free birth registration drive for under 5 children in Nigeria.