Nigeria Registers 14m Births In 2 Years — UNICEF

Nigeria has recorded the registration of 14 million births within the past two years, marking what the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) described as a significant milestone in securing children’s right to legal identity.

UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, disclosed this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja.

According to Abdelatef, birth registration is the first right of every child, as it ensures they are counted, recognised, and protected under the law.

“Birth registration, we look at it as the first right of every child to be counted, to be recognised and it is really impressive. I have served in many places but I have not seen in two years the kind of progress that has happened here in Nigeria,” she said.

According to a statement by the media aide of the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, she revealed that 14 million children had their births officially registered within the period, adding that the system was being digitalised at health facilities and at ward level to improve efficiency and accessibility.

“We have 14 million children whose births have been registered. The system is being digitalised at the health facility and at the ward level as well. Combined with that, there is a bill before the National Assembly. Things don’t just happen like that; we scale with our leadership,” she added.

Abdelatef commended the First Lady for her leadership and support in areas impacting children and families, describing the progress as a reflection of strong political will.

Responding, Mrs Tinubu acknowledged UNICEF’s longstanding support in Nigeria and reiterated that every child must be registered immediately after birth.

“Every child counts,” the First Lady declared.

She said birth registration provides children with nationality and a legal identity, which enables their integration into national health and social services.

“What joy do I have this morning to hear that birth registration is going on well. This is how nations develop,” she said.

While expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded, the First Lady noted that more work remains to be done.

“I won’t say that we are really there yet. For me, we have to keep with it and make sure that every child is counted. It is the beginning for us, not just birth registration alone, we are looking at birth certificates,” she stated.

Mrs Tinubu also pointed out that Nigeria has not conducted a census in a long time, stressing that accurate data on children would help guide government planning and service delivery.

“If we start with the children, at least we would know the number of children to care for and it would guide how the government can provide for its citizens,” she said.

However, she expressed concern over persistently high rates of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality, describing the situation as worrisome given Nigeria’s large population.

“Nigeria is a huge population. When it comes to Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and child and maternal mortality, the numbers are still high, and it is worrisome for me,” she said.

The First Lady assured that the administration was not folding its arms but was working to reposition the country for a better future.

“We are not sitting with our hands folded. We are trying to do the best that we can to see that this administration is able to position Nigeria to what the future should hold for us,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu thanked UNICEF for its continued partnership and pledged sustained collaboration, noting that the organisation has consistently provided reliable data to support national development efforts.