NYSC, NPC, UNICEF partner to revolutionise birth registration in Nigeria

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), National Population Commission (NPC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing birth registration in Nigeria.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of the three organisations to collaborate and support the digitalised birth registration process in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to UNICEF, the partnership aims to provide a robust framework within which the parties can implement a comprehensive and efficient digitalised birth registration process across Nigeria and by leveraging their existing resources and facilities, they also intend to benefit at least 12 million under-five eligible children who will be registered as primary beneficiaries.

Additionally, families, parents, caregivers, communities, households, state, local council and ward level administrators will be indirect beneficiaries of the collaboration.

Speaking on this significant collaboration, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed, said the NYSC is honoured to join hands with the NPC and UNICEF on the initiative.

Ahmed noted that the NYSC deployment of 850 corps members as coordinators and supervisors would ensure effective monitoring and supervision of the birth registration process.

Also speaking, Chairman of NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, said that the commission, as a key partner, would play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the partnership.

He said the NPC would be committed to supporting the recruitment of ad-hoc birth registrars at the ward level and ensuring the availability of registration materials to coordinators and supervisors.

In her remarks, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said that UNICEF, as a leading organisation in child welfare and development, would bring its expertise to the table to support the digitalised birth registration services in focus states.