PRESIDENT TINUBU: ACCURATE POPULATION DATA ESSENTIAL FOR TAILORED, INNOVATIVE, AND PERMANENT SOLUTIONS TO NATION'S CHALLENGES

President Bola Tinubu says accurate information on the size, characteristics, and distribution of the nation's population is imperative for planning and effective delivery of public services to Nigerians.

Speaking at the launch of the Digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System, and the National Geospatial Data Repository at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said Nigeria's population remains the greatest asset the nation wields in the broader mission to become one of the largest economies in the world.

He said the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system is the basic building block of an identity ecosystem, adding that, "it will help to improve service delivery to all Nigerians and shall ultimately become a vital source of identity data across federal agencies such as NIMC, NIS, Road Safety, INEC, Police, EFCC and other security outfits.

"The system will also improve the ability of our federal agencies to generate vital statistics on important population events and migration, further enabling the government to design well-tailored, effective and efficient policies that are capable of meeting the specific needs of the Nigerian people.

"It is my hope that the current drive to re-position this vital registration system will provide the basis for the 100% attainment of our Year 2030 SDG targets regarding real-time identity management and population data.

"Our population remains the nation's greatest asset in the development process. Collecting accurate and reliable information on the size, distribution, composition, and characteristics of the population is an essential governance activity that is also consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration. The Commission will therefore be supported in the conduct of the next census," the President affirmed.

Commending the National Population Commission (NPC) for the initiative, President Tinubu asked the Commission to deploy its cutting-edge technology, especially the geospatial data that has been collected through the Enumeration Area Demarcation in implementing the e-CRVS.

"Coming at a time when the Commission has made substantial progress in its quest to deliver the first digital population and housing census, it is my hope that the result of the census will provide the nation with much-needed data for development planning and the enthronement of good governance.

"It is, therefore, my great pleasure to launch the VITAL REG system and the National Geo-Spatial Data Repository to the greater glory of God, our unity, and the collective prosperity of our great country.

"I am also pleased to inaugurate the National Coordination Committee of CRVS under the Chairmanship of the National Population Commission, which is composed of stakeholders across relevant federal ministries and agencies," the President said.

President Tinubu further implored members of the Committee to demonstrate maximum commitment and hard work in ensuring the huge success of the new electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) system for the progress, peace and development of the country.

Earlier, the Chairman of National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra said that the launch of digital e-CRVS and National Geospatial Data Repository by President Tinubu marks a major milestone in the journey towards the introduction of a new electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System.

‘It provides us with the unique opportunity to change the narrative on registration of civil events especially birth and death, so that together we can build a better future for our great country Nigeria.’

He noted that the objective of the new Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics otherwise called VITAL REG is to improve data capturing, collation, processing, dissemination and timely access to statistics on vital events in the country.

‘This transformative innovation is being implemented through a Public Private Partnership arrangement between NPC 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) with strong support and partnership from UNICEF.’

Kwarra expressed deep appreciation of NPC to President Tinubu for his support to the Commission since the assumption of office and for graciously accepting to launch the eCRVS and Geospatial Data Repository.

‘This underscores the President’s understanding of the role of civil registration and vital statistics as the bedrock for informed socio-economic development planning. The President has by this singular action demonstrated his desire to place the country on the pedestal of sustainable development,’ he said.

On other stakeholders, NPC Boss said, ‘I also want to thank all the stakeholders, for the invaluable support you have given to the Commission in its efforts to give to Nigerians an enduring vital registration system that will stand the test of time. We are eternally grateful for all your support.’

Other speakers at the event commended the Commission for its remarkable achievements in providing data for national planning and development.