A recently launched effort for computerized birth registration is registering the births of numerous infants under five, including Doowuese Agu, one year old, in the Ortese IDP Camp in Benue State, Nigeria. The goal of this program, which is being spearheaded by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC) is to register every birth, enhance family planning, and improve services for kids—especially those under five. Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ACRVS) Day, which highlights the significance of using digital systems into civil registration to achieve universal legal identity by 2030, coincided with the commencement of the 2024 electronic birth registration initiative.
Christopher Nege, the director of NPC in Benue State, is in charge of the push. He said that the program will register more than 270 children between the ages of 0 and 5, providing a smooth approach to birth registration. While pointing out obstacles including low response from vaccination cards and the National Identity Number (NIN), NPC Comptroller Ortese Hendricks expressed optimism for higher registration. The resources required to support this effort, such as financing, an app, and technical training for staff, are being provided by UNICEF, the government of Benue State, and other partners.
The method will help protect a child’s legal identification.
Nigeria might greatly benefit from electronic birth registration in terms of social services, healthcare, and education. This method helps protect a child’s legal identification, which is necessary for gaining access to vital services, by making sure that every child’s birth is formally recorded. A formal birth certificate, for example, increases a child’s likelihood of being registered in school, getting immunizations on time, and using other healthcare facilities. Furthermore, governments may plan for public services more efficiently when birth records are correct since real population data is used to allocate resources.
Also, Nigeria has historically struggled with low birth registration rates; estimates from UNICEF and the National Population Commission (NPC) place the number of registered children under five at just 43%. This low percentage is ascribed to a number of things, including poor knowledge, insufficient infrastructure, and logistical difficulties, especially in isolated and conflict-affected areas. These figures should significantly improve with the implementation of the computerized birth registration system, which will make the procedure more user-friendly and productive.
Attempts are being made to furnish temporary immunization records.
With a goal of reaching universal coverage in the next few years, the NPC intends to dramatically raise the registration rate. The primary obstacles to birth registration in Nigeria are the need for the National Identity Number (NIN) and the lack of immunization cards, which have restricted the response in certain regions. The Nigerian government and its partners are making attempts to streamline the procedure by merging the NIN system with the birth registration system.
Furthermore, in situations where official cards are unavailable, attempts are being made to furnish temporary immunization records. The use of Mobile Technology to access remote locations is another creative approach. Registration staff can utilize tablets to enter data directly into the system, eliminating the need for paper documentation and streamlining the process for faster and more accurate results. Nigeria’s computerized birth registration initiatives are a part of a larger continental drive to enhance civil registration systems when compared to other African nations.
Electronic registration may result in notable advancements.
Kenya and Uganda, for instance, have successfully implemented digital birth registration systems. In just a few years, Uganda’s birth registration rate went from 30% to over 70% thanks to the implementation of mobile birth registration. In a similar vein, Kenyan rural residents now have improved access to services thanks to the birth registration system’s integration with mobile technologies. These illustrations imply that, if properly put into practice and supported, Nigeria’s electronic system may result in notable advancements in the country’s birth registration rates and general child welfare.