NPC Aims for 100% Birth Registration in Nigeria by 2030

Abiola Kekere-Ekun, the Director of the National Population Commission (NPC), announced a target of 100% birth registration in Nigeria by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal on legal identity. Speaking at a two-day birth registration media dialogue in Lagos, organized with UNICEF, he emphasized the need for stronger advocacy and cooperation from schools, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.

The NPC has transitioned to a largely digital system for birth and death registration, which is expected to enhance efficiency and coverage. Kekere-Ekun stated that the current projection for 2024 is a birth registration coverage of 54%, with plans to expand this significantly.

He stressed the importance of educating parents about the necessity of registering every child, as a lack of registration can render children invisible to government services. The NPC seeks partnerships to extend outreach into communities, particularly where awareness of birth registration is low, and clarified that hospital documentation does not equate to official civil registration.