Nigeria has officially commenced a nationwide full digital registration of births and deaths under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) system, marking a significant milestone in the country’s drive to modernise civil registration and improve national data management.
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The announcement was made by the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Aminu Yusuf, during a press briefing held on 15 July 2026, where he disclosed that the new VitalReg platform became fully operational across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with effect from 1 July 2026.
Dr. Yusuf described the initiative as one of the most transformative reforms in Nigeria’s civil registration history, noting that it demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance service delivery, strengthen data integrity, and ensure that every birth and death occurring in Nigeria is accurately and securely documented.
“This digital innovation is one of the most transformative reforms in the history of civil registration in Nigeria. It reflects the Commission’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery, strengthen data integrity, and guarantee that every birth and every death occurring in Nigeria is documented accurately and securely,” he stated.
The NPC Chairman explained that the initiative builds on the historic launch of the E-CRVS system and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 8 November 2023, adding that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its digital transformation objectives.
Highlighting the importance of reliable civil registration, Dr. Yusuf revealed that Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, yet millions of births and deaths remain unregistered. According to him, birth registration coverage currently stands at about 57 per cent, while death registration remains below 20 per cent, creating significant gaps in legal identity and national demographic data required for effective planning.
To address these challenges, the Commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the country’s 774 Local Government Areas, with plans to expand the network to approximately 8,000 centres nationwide.
He said the VitalReg platform would provide faster and more efficient registration services, 24-hour online access, digital certificate issuance where applicable, improved data accuracy through automated validation, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced cybersecurity, and a secure national database capable of supporting other government information systems.
The NPC Chairman further disclosed that the Commission has entered into a strategic partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), UNICEF, and Barnksforte Technologies Limited to decentralise birth registration and legal identity services to communities across the country.
According to him, the collaboration is expected to improve accessibility, operational efficiency, grassroots participation, and the overall quality and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s civil registration system.
Dr. Yusuf also announced that while birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, the Commission has reviewed charges for certain specialised administrative services such as record modifications, certificate reissuance, attestations, and verification requests to ensure the sustainability of the digital infrastructure.
“Let me assure Nigerians that this review is not intended to create barriers to access. Birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, in line with the Commission’s commitment to achieving universal registration,” he assured.
He noted that the VitalReg platform is being operated under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement with Barnksforte Technologies Limited, the Commission’s technical partner, responsible for ensuring system availability, cybersecurity, and continuous technological improvements.
Calling for nationwide support, Dr. Yusuf urged parents, healthcare institutions, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, and the media to actively promote timely registration of all births and deaths across Nigeria.
“Together, we can build a modern civil registration system that guarantees every Nigerian a legal identity from birth, provides credible demographic data for national development, and supports effective governance and evidence-based planning,” he said.
The NPC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics under its Seven-Point Agenda, with emphasis on digital transformation, data quality, stakeholder engagement, and improved public service delivery.
He also commended members of the National Population Commission, state governments, local government councils, development partners, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian media for their continued support in advancing civil registration and nation-building.
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