Lagos State on Thursday launched a new electronic birth-registration system designed to capture the details of newborns and children aged 0 to 12 months through a fully digital process. The initiative marks a major step in the state’s transition toward data driven governance, enabling accurate, real-time population records and ensuring that every child begins life with a recognized identity.
The programme, introduced in collaboration with the National Population Commission and supported by UNICEF, replaces the traditional paper-based registration method with a modern digital platform. At various local government and local council development areas, primary healthcare centres conducted on-the-spot demonstrations of the system, using newly supplied tablets to enroll babies immediately after birth. The digital process also links each registered child to the national database, allowing for the automatic issuance of a National Identification Number (NIN) from infancy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the initiative as a vital investment in the future of Lagos. According to him, accurate birth data is the foundation for effective planning in health, education, nutrition and social-protection services. With precise numbers on newborns and infants, government agencies can better forecast school admissions, strengthen immunization campaigns, allocate health resources and design targeted child-welfare programmes.
Lagos already records one of the highest child-registration rates in the country, yet the new system seeks to close the remaining gaps, especially among families in informal settlements who may lack access to formal registration centres. UNICEF representatives emphasized that unregistered children risk being excluded from essential services throughout their lives, making early digital registration a matter not just of documentation but of rights and protection.
Community engagement is central to the rollout. The governor urged local government chairmen, traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify awareness efforts so parents understand the importance of registering their babies promptly. He noted that birth registration is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a guarantee that every child is visible in government planning and included in the state’s development agenda.
Although the launch signals significant progress, the long-term success of the programme will depend on the continued availability of digital equipment, sustained training for healthcare workers, strong data-protection measures and a widespread public-awareness campaign. Authorities have committed to working closely with local councils and partners to ensure smooth statewide implementation.
Overall, the introduction of the electronic birth-registration system positions Lagos State at the forefront of digital governance in Nigeria. By ensuring that every child is registered from birth and supported by reliable data, the state strengthens its ability to plan effectively, deliver essential services and secure a brighter future for its youngest citizens.
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