- Objective: Ensure every child in Nigeria has access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection .
- Target: Children aged 0-5 years will receive a National Identification Number (NIN) free of charge upon registration .
- Partnership: NOA is partnering with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF to achieve this goal .
- Importance of Birth Registration: Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, providing legal acknowledgement of their existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges, and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future .
- Current Statistics: Only 30% of children under the age of 5 in Nigeria have had their births registered, with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas .
- Benefits: Birth registration provides statistical, medical, and administrative benefits, including data for population projections, health service planning, and protection from abuse and exploitation .
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is launching a nationwide birth registration drive to ensure every child in Nigeria has access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection ¹. This initiative, in partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF, aims to register children aged 0-5 years and provide them with a National Identification Number (NIN) free of charge.
Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, and this drive highlights its importance for the child, family, community, and nation. It’s the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges, and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future .
Key Benefits of Birth Registration:
• Access to Education and Healthcare: Birth registration provides essential data for education, healthcare, and public services.
• Protection from Abuse and Exploitation: Registering a child’s birth ensures recognition by the state, protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness.
• National Planning and Development: Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development.
How to Register:
• Visit the nearest NPC registration centre.
• Provide supporting documents like an immunisation card or existing birth certificate.
• The process is simple and free.
The birth registration drive, which started in August, will run until November 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure every child in your community has access to vital services .
