Bukola Afeni
The UNICEF has commended Nigeria for recording a significant rise in birth registration, announcing that 14 million children have been officially registered in the past two years.
The UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, on Friday, Abdelatef described birth registration as the first right of every child, noting that the progress recorded in Nigeria within two years is unprecedented.
“Birth registration is the first right of every child to be counted and recognised. I have served in many places, but I have not seen this level of progress achieved within two years,” she said.
She added that the registration system is being digitalised at health facilities nationwide and revealed that a bill to strengthen the process is currently before the National Assembly. Abdelatef praised the First Lady’s leadership, stating that such progress is driven by strong national commitment.
Responding, the First Lady acknowledged UNICEF’s longstanding support to Nigeria, stressing that every child has the right to legal identity and nationality.
“Every child counts,” she said, adding that birth registration must continue until every Nigerian child is captured in the system.
Tinubu noted that proper birth documentation would help integrate children into national health services and improve government planning, especially in the absence of recent census data.
She also expressed concern over Nigeria’s high rates of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality, describing the figures as worrisome. However, she assured that the administration remains committed to improving health outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The First Lady pledged continued collaboration with UNICEF, appreciating the organisation for providing reliable data to support national development efforts.
