The National Population Commission (NPC) on Wednesday inaugurated the digital birth and death registration system in Kano State to enhance the efficiency, security and accessibility of civil registration services.
Dr Aminu Ibrahim-Tsanyawa, National Commissioner representing Kano State, inaugurated the initiative, tagged: Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) System, at Unguwar Uku Primary Healthcare Centre in Kano.
Ibrahim-Tsanyawa said the innovation was designed to ensure that birth and death records were captured digitally, stored securely and made more easily accessible, while addressing challenges associated with the manual registration process.
According to him, the digital e-CRVS system replaces the conventional paper-based registration process with a secure, efficient and real-time electronic platform, thereby improving service delivery.
“The rollout of the Digital e-CRVS System demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the National Population Commission to ensuring that every birth and death occurring in Nigeria is registered promptly, accurately and efficiently.
“The system replaces the conventional paper-based registration process with a secure, efficient and real-time electronic platform.
“Through this innovation, birth and death records can now be captured digitally, stored securely and accessed more efficiently, thereby improving data quality, reducing delays, minimising errors and enhancing service delivery to Nigerians.
“This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16.9, which seeks to provide legal identity for all, including birth registration, by 2030,” he said.
He pointed out that the NPC in Kano State, was fully committed to ensuring that every eligible child, particularly those under the age of five, were registered.
The federal commissioner described birth registration as more than a legal requirement, but a fundamental human right and the first official recognition of a child’s existence.
He said that birth registration remained free for children under the age of five and cautioned parents and guardians against patronising illegal registration centres issuing fake certificates.
He appealed to media practitioners to support the commission by intensifying public awareness on the importance of timely birth and death registration.
He said the commission was working closely with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), relevant ministries, traditional and religious leaders, as well as other stakeholders, to deepen awareness of the digital registration system at the grassroots.
The commissioner commended the Chairman of the NPC, Dr Aminu Yusuf, for his leadership in repositioning the commission as a technology-driven institution.
He also appreciated development partners, including UNICEF, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other stakeholders, for supporting the successful implementation of the Digital Birth Registration programme.