First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) is set to launch an electronic natal registration system for children in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF. This initiative, which is scheduled to commence on August 29, represents a significant step towards improving the civil registration process for newborns in Nigeria.
NPC Chairman Nasir Kwarra revealed this development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following a pre-launch meeting with the First Lady in Abuja. He emphasized that this electronic registration initiative underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to enhancing the civil registration of births across the nation.
“I met with the First Lady to discuss the preparations for the 2024 Civil Registration and Birth Certificate Day and our broader efforts to increase birth registration in Nigeria,” Kwarra stated. “We are grateful to the First Lady for agreeing to spearhead this initiative through the RHI. While birth registration is a global requirement, this event marks a concerted effort to drive this process forward, providing our children with a foundational identity and recognition. This will ensure access to essential government services, particularly in education and healthcare.”
UNICEF’s Country Chief for Child Protection, Mr. Ibrahim Sessay, highlighted the critical need for this drive, especially in a country like Nigeria, where approximately 244,000 children are born each day. “A birth certificate is not just a document; it is the legal proof of a child’s nationality,” Sessay explained. “This initiative ensures every child born in Nigeria has their birth officially registered with the NPC, thereby confirming their legal status as Nigerians.”
Sessay also noted the broader implications of birth registration for national planning and development. “Effective development planning requires accurate data. If we do not know where the children are, how can we build schools or healthcare facilities to adequately serve them? A birth certificate not only ensures access to these services but is also crucial for future needs, such as insurance and property ownership.”
The First Lady’s support, through the RHI, provides a powerful platform to address the gaps in birth registration in Nigeria. The upcoming launch on August 29 will mark the beginning of an intensified campaign to ensure every child born in the country is registered and provided with a birth certificate, a fundamental step toward securing their rights and future opportunities.
The initiative aligns with global efforts to improve civil registration systems and demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that every child’s birth is documented and recognized, setting the foundation for inclusive growth and development in the nation.
