NPC rolls out digital birth, death registration in Delta

The National Population Commission (NPC) has launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, a digital platform designed to enhance data generation and vital statistics management. Delta Federal Commissioner Mrs Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, who unveiled the system at a news briefing in Asaba, explained that it follows President Bola Tinubu’s national launch in November 2023 and aligns with the 2022 African ministers’ resolution to automate civil registration in line with the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative, developed in partnership with UNICEF, as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital solution that aligns with international best practices. She stated that the eCRVS would revolutionise how births and deaths are recorded and analysed nationwide, ensuring reliable statistics for effective planning and improved civil registration data capture to support national development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The commissioner emphasised that the state-level launch was crucial to sensitise the media and public on the significance of the digital system, with competent ICT personnel available to provide support. She called on stakeholders to collaborate with the commission, assuring residents that the eCRVS would overhaul vital event registration and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management, with the current phase concluding in March.

NPC State Director Mrs Jane Odigwe appealed to the Delta Government for partnership and urged parents to register their children, noting that a birth certificate is essential for accessing education and healthcare. She stressed that registering children secures their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development, giving them a voice in the nation’s tomorrow.