The National Population Commission (NPC) has successfully registered over 10 million children aged zero to five years in the past three months, marking a significant achievement in the country’s identity management efforts.
Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, Chairman of the NPC, shared this accomplishment while addressing journalists after the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, presented the “baby of the year” with a birth certificate at the Asokoro General Hospital in Abuja on Wednesday. The Chairman was represented by Bala Banya, Federal Commissioner from Katsina State.
Kwarra emphasized the crucial role of birth registration, explaining that it serves as a legal identity and solidifies a child’s status as a Nigerian. The NPC has also integrated the issuance of e-birth certificates with the National Identity Number (NIN) system, ensuring that children are automatically assigned a NIN when their birth is registered. This process facilitates their inclusion in the national database, which supports ongoing efforts to create a robust identity management framework.
He further revealed that the registration process is continuous, and the focus is now shifting to children under one year. The commission is making significant progress toward ensuring comprehensive national coverage.
Dr. Osifo Ojogun, the Director-General of the NPC, shared that plans were underway to establish over 4,000 additional registration centers across the country, aimed at increasing accessibility and ensuring that every child receives their birth registration promptly. The NPC is also leveraging technology to maintain an accurate and secure identity system that prevents duplication.
Ojogun extended his gratitude to the First Lady and to Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, for her role in presenting the birth certificate. The NPC also urged Nigerians to ensure that deaths are properly registered, as part of efforts to maintain an accurate and comprehensive national register.