Reps to overhaul birth, death registration with digital System – Nigerian Observer

Legislative Reform of Nigeria’s Civil Registration System to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Modernizing Vital Statistics for National Development

The Nigerian House of Representatives has initiated a comprehensive legislative reform to repeal and re-enact the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act. This initiative aims to establish a fully digitized Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. The reform is positioned as a critical step towards achieving data-driven governance and aligning Nigeria with key international development benchmarks, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Objective: Achieving SDG 16.9 (Legal Identity for All)

The primary impetus for the bill is the modernization of an outdated, manual system deemed inadequate for 21st-century governance. By mandating the electronic registration of all vital events, the legislation directly addresses SDG Target 16.9, which calls for providing a legal identity for all, including birth registration, by 2030.

• Outdated Framework: Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, noted that the current law is “archaic and unfit,” undermining effective planning and security.
• Digital Transformation: The proposed system will create a unified, technology-driven platform to capture births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and adoptions nationwide.
• Foundation for Governance: Accurate and timely registration is described as fundamental to good governance, national planning, and social development, forming the bedrock of strong and accountable institutions as envisioned in SDG 16.

Strengthening Institutions and Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

The reform is designed to build institutional capacity and foster collaboration, which are central tenets of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Centralised Digital Database: The bill proposes a central database linking the National Population Commission (NPC) with state and local registries. This integration is designed to eliminate data gaps, reduce fraud, and prevent duplication.
2. Enhanced Security and Identity Management: A robust digital CRVS system is expected to strengthen national identity management, a key component of national security and institutional integrity.
3. Strategic Partnerships: The NPC is already collaborating with development partners, including UNICEF, to develop an interoperable digital platform. This partnership exemplifies the global cooperation required to achieve the SDGs.

Broader Impacts on Sustainable Development

The creation of a reliable national digital registry is projected to have a cascading effect on multiple SDGs beyond legal identity.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Real-time population data will enable more effective policy decisions in public health, allowing for accurate monitoring of mortality rates and strategic allocation of healthcare resources.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Accurate demographic data is essential for planning educational infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities for all children.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By providing every citizen with a verifiable legal identity, the system ensures that vulnerable populations can access social services, financial systems, and legal protection, thereby reducing inequality.

Conclusion: A Data-Driven Future Aligned with Global Standards

The legislative initiative is supported by key stakeholders, including the NPC and legal consultants, who affirm that the bill aligns with United Nations standards and global best practices. If passed, the legislation will replace the existing manual system with a national digital registry, enabling real-time access to population data. This transition is framed not merely as a bureaucratic update but as a foundational shift towards evidence-based planning. As stated by Speaker Abbas, it represents a move for Nigeria to “plan their future with reliable data, not assumptions,” thereby embedding the principles of sustainable development into the core of its national governance framework.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article focuses on reforming Nigeria’s civil registration system to modernize governance. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen is quoted saying, “Accurate and timely registration of births, deaths, and other vital events is fundamental to good governance.” This directly relates to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The reform aims to improve identity management and reduce fraud, which strengthens institutional integrity.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • The proposed reform is centered on technology and digital infrastructure. The article repeatedly mentions creating a “fully interoperable digital platform,” a “centralised digital database,” and a “unified, technology-driven system.” Rep. Odimayo Okunjimi states the goal is “building the digital foundation needed to strengthen identity management, enhance security, and drive sustainable development,” which aligns with building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights collaboration as a key component of the reform. It mentions that the National Population Commission (NPC) is “already working with development partners, including UNICEF, to create a fully interoperable digital platform.” This partnership is crucial for mobilizing resources and expertise to achieve the goal of a modern civil registration system, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The primary purpose of the reform, as stated in the article, is to provide reliable data for effective planning. The legislation is expected to enable “real-time access to population data for policy decisions in health, education, security, and economic planning.” Rep. Okunjimi notes that without this data, “it is impossible to plan effectively or deliver social services equitably,” which is a cornerstone of creating sustainable and inclusive communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.

   • This is the most direct target addressed. The entire article is about a bill to reform the “Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act.” The goal of digitizing birth records and modernizing the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system is to ensure every Nigerian has a verifiable legal identity from birth.

2. Target 17.18: By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries…to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data.

   • The article’s central theme is the need to move away from an “outdated law” that “undermines planning” towards a system that provides “reliable data.” The reform aims to create a system for “capturing vital statistics needed for effective planning and security,” directly aligning with the goal of increasing the availability of high-quality national data.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.

   • The proposed “national digital registry” and “centralised digital database” represent a significant development in Nigeria’s national digital infrastructure. This infrastructure is presented as essential for supporting “national development,” “economic planning,” and good governance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age.

   • While the indicator is not explicitly named, the article’s focus on the “compulsory registration” of births and the creation of a comprehensive digital system implies that a key measure of success will be the increase in the percentage of births that are officially recorded. The new system is designed to capture these statistics effectively.

2. Implied Indicator: Establishment of a national digital registry for vital statistics.

   • The successful passage of the bill and the subsequent creation of the “national digital registry” and “centralised digital database” would be a direct and measurable indicator of progress towards Target 9.1. The article frames this as a primary outcome of the legislative reform.

3. Implied Indicator: Use of population data in national and sub-national policy-making.

   • The article states that the new system will enable “real-time access to population data for policy decisions in health, education, security, and economic planning.” An increase in the documented use of this data for planning would serve as an indicator that the reform is achieving its goal of supporting data-driven governance, as linked to Target 17.18.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nigerianobservernews.com