The National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced the electronic registration of births and deaths across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, following the establishment of 4,011 digital registration centres nationwide as part of efforts to modernise the country’s civil registration system.
The Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State at the NPC, Barrister Alex Ukam, disclosed this during a press briefing in Calabar on Thursday, while announcing the rollout of the digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system.
Representing the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Yusuf, Ukam said the digital registration exercise officially commenced on July 1, 2026, with plans underway to expand the number of registration centres to 8,000 across the country.
He explained that the initiative is designed to ensure that births and deaths are captured promptly, accurately and electronically, replacing the largely manual registration process that has characterised civil documentation in the country.
According to him, the new platform will provide 24-hour online services, faster processing, reduced paperwork, digital certificates where applicable, and improved accuracy in the storage and management of vital records.
“The system will serve as a foundational database that supports other national data systems and has been designed for secure interoperability with government institutions across Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem,” Ukam said.
He noted that the digital transformation of civil registration would strengthen Nigeria’s identity management framework by ensuring that every citizen has a verifiable legal identity from birth, while providing reliable demographic information for effective planning and policy implementation.
Ukam said the commission would work closely with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other stakeholders to enhance seamless data capture at the community level, describing the initiative as a major step in the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.
He added that the modernised system would provide government with accurate population data needed for evidence-based decision-making, resource allocation and sustainable national development.
The NPC Federal Commissioner further disclosed that the commission would review fees for some specialised administrative services following the deployment of the digital platform, adding that plans were also underway to commence the processing of change-of-name applications once the necessary legal framework is concluded.
He maintained that the digital registration system would improve accessibility, efficiency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s vital statistics, while ensuring that citizens can conveniently access essential identity documents.
By Kingsley Agim
