UNICEF, NPC Advance Digital Birth Registration in Gombe to Secure Every Child’s Identity

By Mercy Folounsho

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), has intensified efforts to promote digital birth registration in Gombe State, describing it as a crucial step in ensuring that every Nigerian child has a legal identity from birth.

The initiative was unveiled after a three-day training of trainers, where representatives from 114 health facilities and all 114 wards of the state were equipped with digital devices to capture births electronically. The programme is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system and link birth registration with National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment.

Speaking at the event the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, stressed that birth registration is the first right of a child and a foundation for accessing essential services. She noted that UNICEF is committed to ensuring children in Nigeria, especially in the North-East, are registered promptly.

The NPC State Director, Ali Usman, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to ensuring that no child goes uncounted. He praised the support of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), which pledged continued backing through manpower and resources.

UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Mrs. Ladi Alabi, explained that the programme integrates traditional birth attendants, healthcare workers, and local focal persons to ensure all births are recorded. Notifications received at primary healthcare centres and community levels will now be captured electronically in real time.

NPC Technical Expert, Mr. Arukwe Oscar Joe, said the system will transform national planning by providing accurate data on births and deaths, which has been a long-standing gap in Nigeria’s development efforts.

With Gombe State serving as a pilot hub, UNICEF expressed optimism that the initiative will set a model for nationwide adoption, moving Nigeria closer to universal birth registration and safeguarding the rights of millions of children.