GOVERNOR SULE FLAGS OFF DISTRIBUTION OF 28,715 BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

In a landmark event held today, 6th August 2025, in Lafia, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule, officially flagged off the distribution of 28,715 birth certificates to children registered during the 2023 birth registration drive across the state.

This initiative, which will be replicated in other States of the Federation, was part of the efforts of the National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with UNICEF to ensure that every child in Nigeria has a recognized legal identity from birth, reaffirming the nation's commitment to fundamental human rights.

During his keynote address, Governor Sule emphasized the significance of birth certificates, stating that they are not merely administrative documents but essential tools that provide access to education, healthcare, and social services. "Today, we are delivering hope, dignity, and inclusion to thousands of families," he remarked, highlighting the initiative's alignment with the national agenda for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS).

Governor Sule stated that the distribution of birth certificates will be carried out in partnership with the NPC, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and UNICEF Nigeria. He praised these partnerships, asserting that the program reflects a collective effort to ensure that no child is left behind.

The governor expressed that today’s event marks just the beginning, as the State is committed to maintaining this momentum by raising public awareness, simplifying registration processes, and making it easier for every child born in Nasarawa State to be registered. He called upon the communities, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society to join the government and its partners in this noble cause, so that together, they can build a future where every child is counted, valued, and empowered.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, echoed the governor's sentiments, describing birth registration as a fundamental right. He emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring that every Nigerian child has a recognized legal identity. "This event is a bold reaffirmation of our pledge that no child shall go undocumented and no citizen shall be invisible," Hon. Kwarra stated.

Hon. Kwarra noted that the ceremony also marked a symbolic handover of birth certificates to ALGON leaders, reinforcing the importance of decentralizing services and empowering local governments to facilitate the registration process. He acknowledged the support of various partners, including UNICEF and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, whose collaboration has been instrumental in modernizing the birth registration system, extending services to remote areas, and accelerating digital registration.

The NPC Chairman urged traditional and religious figures, as well as community members, to raise awareness about the importance of birth registration. He also highlighted the media's role in amplifying this vital message, aiming to transform the initiative into a national movement for child identity and protection.

Dr. Ibrahim Sessay, UNICEF Nigeria's Chief of Child Protection, emphasized that a child without a birth certificate is a child without a name in the eyes of the state, rendering them vulnerable to exploitation, invisible to planners, and exclusion from opportunities. "As we commemorate today's milestone, we must understand that birth registration is not complete until the certificate is issued," he explained. He announced that starting this year, every child registered will receive a birth certificate within seven days, ending the long wait for certificates post-registration.

Dr. Sessay highlighted the staggering statistic that 950 to 1,000 children are born every hour in Nigeria, amounting to 7.5 to 8 million births annually, underscoring the urgency of addressing birth registration and certification.

Hon. Engr. Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON, reaffirmed that while local governments are constitutionally mandated to undertake birth registration, collaboration with the NPC and other partners is essential to effectively provide civil registration at the grassroots level. He noted that it has taken months of joint effort with the NPC and UNICEF to reach this pivotal point.

Engr. Lawal expressed a commitment to ensuring that every child born in the 774 local government areas is issued a birth certificate, stating that Nasarawa State is the first to receive these certificates, with plans for nationwide rollout.

His Royal Highness Honourable Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd), Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, pledged the support of traditional rulers to ensure the success of this initiative.

The ceremony, which included the presentation of birth certificates to children and the official handover of certificates to ALGON chairpersons in Nasarawa State, was attended by top government officials, key NPC representatives, and various stakeholders.

As the event concluded, Governor Sule officially flagged off the distribution of birth certificates, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the state's commitment to inclusive development.