UNICEF, NPC begin e-birth registration in Ebonyi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC), has commenced e-birth registration for children between the ages of 0-5 years in Ebonyi State.

The exercise, which targets children from 0-5 years old, will incorporate the National Identification Number (NIN) of the parents into the country’s Digital Birth Registration System. This is an initiative aimed at enhancing Child Identity Protection and Citizenship in Nigeria.

Jeremahia Nwankwegu, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commissioner in Ebonyi told journalists during a three- day training of ad-hoc volunteers, registrars and DCR E- CRVS birth registration for Abakaliki, Ebonyi, and Ikwo Local Government areas that the e-birth registration would last till December, 2024.

“We are migrating from analogue to full digitalisation. As you register, Capture the child’s biometrics, the mother’s NIN and every information about the mother and the father and the child will be captured.

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“UNICEF is partnering with the National Population Commission, which is the program anchor, and you know, when you talk of birth or birth registration, it is the constitutional mandate of the National Population Commission.

“And the importance is that the identity, legality and child rights are protected under the program. We can’t plan without knowing who is who, and where there are.

The Federal Commissioner, Ebonyi State noted that UNICEF had been of great help to the National Population Commission as it had helped in the printing of birth certificates between 0-17 years free of charge.

“This program is primarily for children 0- 5. Let us know how many births we have recorded within this range, and it is very, very important to us legally, educationally, Economically, and so on. It is very important and key to National development.”