…Urges Parents to Embrace e-CRVS
The National Population Commission (NPC) has officially commenced the nationwide full digital registration of births and deaths under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) system, with a strong appeal to parents and stakeholders in Bayelsa State to embrace the new platform to ensure every child has a legal identity from birth.
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Speaking during a press briefing held at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Ox-Bow Lake, Swali, Yenagoa, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, mni, said the digital initiative, which took effect on July 1, 2026, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s civil registration system and will significantly improve service delivery, data integrity and national planning.
Mrs. Izonfuo explained that civil registration goes beyond record-keeping, describing it as the foundation for effective governance, policy formulation and the protection of citizens’ rights.
“Civil registration is the bedrock of an effective and efficient government system. It provides the first legal identity for every child born in Nigeria and supports planning, policy formulation, decision-making and good governance,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria’s birth registration coverage currently stands at about 57 per cent, while death registration remains below 20 per cent, making the transition to a fully digital platform imperative.
According to her, Bayelsa State was privileged to be selected as one of the pilot states for the electronic birth registration programme before the nationwide rollout.
Mrs. Izonfuo said the new VitalReg platform offers faster registration services, 24-hour online access, digital certificate issuance, reduced paperwork, improved data validation and interoperability with agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Nigerian embassies.
She added that while birth registration for children under five years remains free, the Commission has reviewed charges for specialised administrative services such as record modifications, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification requests to sustain the digital infrastructure.
The Federal Commissioner also announced that, in line with a Supreme Court judgment, the Commission would begin issuing Change of Name Certificates, requiring applicants to present a valid Deed Poll.
She reassured residents that the fee review was not intended to discourage registration.
“Birth registration services remain highly subsidised. Our goal is to improve access and achieve universal birth registration, not create barriers,” she said.
Mrs. Izonfuo stressed that Bayelsa’s difficult terrain continues to affect birth and death registration coverage and called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, local government councils, traditional rulers, community leaders and the media.
She urged journalists to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to ensure residents, particularly those in rural communities, understand the importance of registering births electronically.
The Commissioner also linked the Commission’s activities to the 2026 World Population Day, themed “Realising the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.”
She identified five key pillars for harnessing Nigeria’s demographic dividend: quality healthcare and family planning, education and skills development, employment and economic empowerment, good governance and protection of rights, as well as youth empowerment and gender equality.
According to her, with young people constituting about 63 per cent of Nigeria’s population, investments in their health, education and economic opportunities are critical to sustainable national development.
As part of the event, the Commission conducted a live demonstration of the new electronic registration process by registering Baby Oluchi Christabel Arinze, born on July 24, 2026, and issuing the child’s digital birth certificate.
Presenting the certificate to the baby’s mother, Mrs. Izonfuo underscored its significance.
“Before agencies such as the Passport Office or the National Identity Management Commission can process documentation for any child, an electronic birth certificate or an attestation issued by the National Population Commission is required.”
She further disclosed that paper birth certificates issued from July 1, 2026, will no longer be recognised, urging parents to embrace the electronic platform.
“People should refuse paper registration now. The digital certificate is secure, verifiable and recognised across government institutions and embassies,” she stated.
On the long-awaited national population census, Mrs. Izonfuo attributed previous postponements to electoral transitions but expressed optimism that the Commission was fully prepared once presidential approval is granted.
“Whenever Mr. President gives us the go-ahead, we are ready to conduct the census. Our preparations are substantially in place.”
She clarified that the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system is different from the census, noting that while the CRVS records births and deaths continuously, the census provides broader demographic and socio-economic information needed for national planning.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Eric Obi, revealed that every child registered through the new platform is automatically assigned a National Identification Number (NIN) from the backend.
“Once a child is registered under the NPC platform, the NIN is automatically generated. When parents come to NIMC, it will no longer require another physical registration because the information is already in the database.”
He described the integration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s identity management system and called for intensified public awareness, especially in rural communities.
In her vote of thanks, the Bayelsa State Director of the National Population Commission, Mrs. Evelyn Obua-Micah, appreciated journalists for supporting the Commission’s awareness campaign and urged parents to register their children without delay.
“This birth certificate is the child’s first legal document. Without it, many opportunities and essential services may be inaccessible. Parents should ensure their children are registered whenever our officials visit their communities.”
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