In an effort to improve the accuracy and efficiency of birth registration in Lagos State, the government, in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), is set to launch the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ECRVS) program on September 2, 2024.

This initiative is designed to modernize the process of birth registration and ensure the collection of reliable data on children born in the state.

As part of the preparations for this rollout, the NPC has begun training ad hoc registrars across various local government areas. Speaking at the opening of a training session at Kosofe Local Government, Mrs. Saidat Oladunjoye, the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State, explained the phased training approach. She noted that some councils have been merged for the training sessions, depending on their size and the number of volunteers available.

“This exercise is designed to train our ad hoc officials who will be responsible for the registration of births, ensuring we obtain accurate data on children born in Lagos State,” Oladunjoye stated. “The focus will be on registering children under 1 and 5 years of age. Registrations for children under 1 year will take place at hospitals and other institutions where births occur, while those for children under 5 years will be conducted at the community and ward levels.”

One of the key features of the ECRVS program is that each registered child will automatically be assigned a National Identity Number (NIN). Oladunjoye emphasized the importance of capturing as many children as possible through this system, highlighting its potential to enhance government planning in critical areas such as education, health, and political development.

“Through this registration, the government can make informed decisions and create better plans for the future. It will also simplify data retrieval, eliminating the need for paper-based records, which are prone to being lost in transit,” she added.