The UNICEF has praised Nigeria for recording a sharp rise in birth registration, revealing that about 14 million children have been officially documented within the last two years.
This was disclosed by the organisation’s Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, during a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
Abdelatef described birth registration as a fundamental right of every child, noting that Nigeria’s recent progress is remarkable compared to other countries. She added that ongoing digitalisation of the registration system across health facilities and legislative efforts before the National Assembly are strengthening the process.
She also commended the First Lady’s leadership in advancing child welfare and family-focused initiatives, noting that such efforts are gaining recognition across Africa.
Responding, Mrs Tinubu acknowledged UNICEF’s contributions to child development in Nigeria and stressed the importance of ensuring that every child is registered at birth.
She said birth registration provides legal identity and supports access to essential services, including healthcare. According to her, achieving universal registration remains critical to national development.
The First Lady, however, expressed concern over persistently high rates of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV, as well as maternal and child mortality. She assured that the government is working to address these challenges and improve health outcomes.
Mrs Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to continued collaboration with UNICEF, appreciating the organisation for its sustained support and reliable data for national planning.
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