NPC launches digital birth, death registration, reviews fees for special services in Kogi

The National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced the full digital registration of births and deaths across Nigeria through its Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) system, known as the VitalReg platform, in Kogi State.

The initiative, which took effect on July 1, 2026, was announced on Tuesday by the Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State at the NPC, Hon. (Engr.) Yori Afolabi, during a press briefing.

He described the transition as a landmark reform aimed at modernising Nigeria’s civil registration system.

According to Afolabi, the nationwide rollout builds on the E-CRVS initiative launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in November 2023 alongside the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics.

The digital platform is now operational across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, many remain unregistered. Birth registration currently stands at about 57 per cent nationwide, while death registration is below 20 per cent, creating gaps in legal identity documentation and national planning data.

To improve coverage, the commission has established 4,011 registration centres across the country’s 774 local government areas and plans to expand the number to about 8,000.

Afolabi explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster and more efficient registration services, including round-the-clock online access, digital certificate issuance where applicable, automated data validation, reduced paperwork and waiting time, as well as a secure database capable of integrating with other government digital identity systems.

He disclosed that the NPC has also entered into a partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited to decentralise birth registration and strengthen access to legal identity at the grassroots.

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The commissioner said Barnksforte Technologies serves as the commission’s technical partner under a public-private partnership arrangement, handling system maintenance, cybersecurity and upgrades.

He further announced a review of fees for specialised administrative services, including record modifications, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification requests, explaining that the adjustment is necessary to sustain the digital infrastructure.

However, he assured Nigerians that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised and that the revised charges would not hinder access to essential registration services.

Afolabi called on state and local governments, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the commission’s drive to ensure timely registration of all births and deaths nationwide.

He also commended the media, particularly the NPC Press Corps, for its role in promoting public awareness and confidence in the commission’s activities, reaffirming the NPC’s commitment to digital transformation, improved data quality and efficient service delivery.