The National Population Commission has announced that it registered and issued birth certificates to over 10 million children born in Nigeria in 2024.
The chairman of the commission, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra, shared this during a media briefing in Abuja. The event followed the presentation of a birth certificate to the Baby of the Year by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, at the Asokoro General Hospital.
Kwarra, represented by NPC Federal Commissioner Mr. Bala Banya from Katsina State, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every child born in Nigeria is registered and provided with a birth certificate.
“Our mission is to ensure that no child born in Nigeria goes unregistered. With the digitisation of our systems and collaboration with the Primary Health Care Agency, children can now be registered wherever they are born,” Kwarra stated.
The chairman also urged parents and guardians to register their children, emphasizing that the registration process is free.
The NPC’s Director General, Dr. Telson Osifo Ojogun, disclosed plans to set up over 400 registration centres across the country to make birth registration more accessible.
“We are leveraging technology to ensure that every child registered has a unique identity. This system prevents duplication and strengthens the integrity of our national records,” Dr. Ojogun explained.
Dr. Ojogun further encouraged citizens to register deaths with the commission, stating that this would help maintain accurate national statistics.
He also appreciated the support of the First Lady, saying, “Her Excellency’s involvement underscores the importance of birth registration in nation-building. We are grateful for her continued support.”
Parents at the event lauded the initiative. “It is a great relief that this process is now free and easy,” said Maryam Adejumo, a mother of two.
The NPC has been actively working to modernize its processes, collaborating with international bodies such as UNICEF to improve child registration rates and ensure no child is left uncounted.
