NPC launches full digital birth, death registration in Ogun

The National Population Commission, NPC, has formally commenced full digital registration of births and deaths in Ogun State, with a vow that “no community will be left behind” in the drive to give every Nigerian a legal identity.

Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing in Abeokuta, the Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State, Dr Fasuwa Abayomi Johnson, said the rollout of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, system marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s civil registration process.

He announced that the VitalReg platform became fully operational across Ogun State effective 1st July 2026, in line with the nationwide rollout, warning that any manual certificate issued after July is null and void.

Johnson said the transition became necessary because gaps in the old system have denied many citizens legal identity and limited access to essential services.

“Despite progress made, gaps still exist. Many births and deaths remain unregistered, depriving citizens of legal identity and limiting access to essential services. This is why the transition to a fully digital system is both timely and necessary.

“In Ogun State, the National Population Commission has established functional registration centres across all Local Government Areas, and we are committed to expanding access further to ensure that no community is left behind,” he said.

He described civil registration as “the foundation of legal identity and a critical tool for planning and development,” noting that reliable data on births and deaths will help government make informed decisions on healthcare, education, infrastructure and social services.

Outlining the benefits, Johnson said it will deliver faster services, round-the-clock online access, digital certificate issuance, reduced paperwork and waiting time, improved data accuracy, and enhanced security of records.

He stressed that the platform is also interoperable with other government systems to support Nigeria’s broader digital identity ecosystem.

The commissioner called on parents, families, community leaders, health institutions and the media to support the initiative by registering births promptly, recording deaths, and creating awareness.

In his welcome address, the Ogun State Director of  NPC, Dr Adenuga Olayinka, described the rollout of E-CRVS, system as a turning point in how the state documents its people and plans for development.

He emphasized that birth and death registration goes beyond paperwork, calling it “Foundational Legal Identity” that protects fundamental rights and guarantees access to healthcare, education and other essential services.

He urged sister agencies, local governments, health facilities, traditional rulers, community leaders and the media to work with NPC to drive awareness, especially in rural and underserved areas.

DAILY POST reports that a practical demonstration was held to show participants how the digital registration process works.

NPC launches full digital birth, death registration in Ogun