By Folashade Olorunfemi
In a move to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation in population data management, the Acting Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Muhammad Usman Dattijo, has led a delegation to the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, for a public hearing on the proposed amendment to Nigeria’s civil registration law.
The session centered on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Birth, Death, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act, Cap. B9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Re-enact the Birth, Death, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act, 2024. The new legislation seeks to modernize the nation’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system through the adoption of an electronic framework, known as the eCRVS.
Organized by the House of Representatives Committee on National Population and Identity, the public hearing brought together key stakeholders, including the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).
Representing the NPC at the event, Dr. Clifford Zirra, Federal Commissioner for Adamawa State, described the Bill as both timely and critical to national development. He noted that the proposed law would enable the Commission to leverage technology to enhance data collection, ensure interoperability among government databases, and address long-standing gaps in civil registration.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Godwin Offiono said the eCRVS initiative aligns with global standards and United Nations’ recommendations. He emphasized that digitizing the system would enhance data accuracy, reduce duplication, prevent identity-related fraud, and improve access to vital records nationwide.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Population and Identity, Hon. Okunjimi Odimayo, underscored the urgency of overhauling Nigeria’s outdated legal framework for vital registration. He said the new Bill would establish a modern, technology-driven system that clearly defines institutional roles at federal, state, and local levels.
“This reform is long overdue,” Odimayo stated. “A modern CRVS system will not only improve service delivery but will also support evidence-based decision-making for national development.”
