UNICEF Aims for 545,000 New Birth Registrations in Lagos

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced a target to register 545,000 children under the age of one in Lagos State. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to ensure that every child’s birth is registered, providing vital protection for their rights. Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, made the announcement during a multi-sector dialogue focused on birth registration held on March 11, 2024.

Birth registration serves as the foundational step in safeguarding children’s rights, Lafoucriere emphasized. She noted that without proper registration, children remain invisible, making it difficult for them to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection. Underlining Lagos State’s achievements, she highlighted its impressive 94 percent birth registration rate among children under five, positioning the state as a leader in Nigeria’s civil registration efforts.

Despite this progress, Lafoucriere pointed out that certain demographics still encounter significant barriers. “Hard-to-reach communities, informal settlements, and low-income families still face obstacles to registration,” she stated. She reiterated that the goal remains to “leave no child behind.” The dialogue aimed to develop a comprehensive birth registration plan for Lagos that would enhance community engagement and explore opportunities to integrate registration with child health and immunization services.

Lafoucriere called for all stakeholders—including health, education, traditional institutions, civil society, and media—to collaborate in achieving comprehensive birth registration coverage. “Here in Lagos, the foundation is in place with the support of UNICEF and other partners. All birth registration training has been completed across the 20 Local Government Areas, including health facility training,” she said. She expressed confidence in the readiness of the state to implement this plan effectively.

The UNICEF initiative aligns with a national effort led by the National Population Commission (NPC), which began distributing over 16 million birth certificates across Nigeria in September 2023. Lagos received the largest share, with over six million certificates, reflecting the state’s robust systems and commitment to civil registration.

Looking ahead to 2025, UNICEF is supporting an ambitious plan to register 3.69 million children under one year across 15 priority states, with Lagos’s target set at 545,000. Lafoucriere stressed the importance of integrating registration with immunization and maternal health services. She urged education authorities to mandate birth certificates for school enrollment and called on community and traditional leaders to advocate for registration as a civic duty.

In support of these efforts, Mrs. Olajumoke Otitoloju, a Welfare Officer with the Child Protection Network in Lagos State, proposed the establishment of birth registration desks at various state universal boards. She argued that these desks would help prevent parents from being turned away during primary school registrations due to a lack of birth certificates, ensuring that all children can be registered without barriers.

The dialogue concluded with a commitment from participants to work collaboratively and transparently towards achieving full birth registration coverage for all children in Lagos State. The collaborative spirit and dedication to protecting children’s rights mark a significant step forward in ensuring that every child has access to the opportunities and services they deserve.