Nigeria Celebrates Birth Registration on Africa CRVS Day

The National Population Commission (NPC) marked the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day by issuing birth certificates to newborns during a live registration exercise at the Wuse General Hospital in Abuja. Dr Aminu Yusuf, Chairman of the NPC, stated that the birth certificates are part of the new digital Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) system, known as the VitalReg platform, aimed at providing children with legal identity.

He emphasized that birth registration is a fundamental right for every child and is essential for accessing various government and social services. Dr Yusuf also mentioned that the registration process is designed to be seamless, allowing parents and caregivers to register from home.

The NPC has established registrants in all communities and local council areas to ensure that no child is left behind. Natalie Ann Macaulay, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Nigeria, commended the Federal Government for its efforts to digitize birth registration and innovate to facilitate early registration for every child.