UNICEF Hails Nigeria’s 14 Million Birth Increase in Two Years

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria has recorded a significant rise in birth registration, with 14 million children officially documented within the last two years.

UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.

Describing birth registration as a fundamental right, Abdelatef said the scale of progress recorded in Nigeria within such a short period is remarkable.

“Birth registration, we look at it as the first right of every child to be counted, to be recognised and it is really impressive, I have served in many places but I have not seen in two years, we could have a progress that has happened here in Nigeria,” she said.

According to her, “We have 14million children their births have been registered, the system is being digitalized at the health facility at the world level as well, combine that, there is a bill before the National Assembly, things don’t just happen like that, we scale with our leadership.”

She commended the First Lady for championing issues affecting children and families, noting that the momentum behind birth registration reflects strong national leadership.

“I am really grateful for you leading this area of birth registration and allowing us to celebrate this fantastic leadership,” she added.

Abdelatef also praised the First Lady’s broader social interventions, referencing initiatives such as the national library and food bank projects, and noting that African First Ladies at the African Union had commended her leadership.

Responding, Senator Tinubu acknowledged UNICEF’s longstanding support to Nigeria and reiterated the importance of ensuring that every child is registered at birth.

“Every child counts,” she said.

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This was disclosed in a statement by the SSA Media to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, on Friday, February 20.

The First Lady described birth registration as essential to securing nationality and legal identity for children, which she said is critical for access to healthcare and other social services.

“What joy do I have this morning to hear that birth registration is going on well. This is how nations develop,” she stated.

While expressing satisfaction with the progress made, she stressed the need to sustain the drive until all Nigerian children are captured in the system.

“I won’t say that we are really there yet, for me, we have to keep with it and make sure that every child is counted, and it is the beginning for us not just birth registration alone, we are looking at birth certificates,” she said.

The First Lady noted that Nigeria has not conducted a census in a long time, making reliable child registration data even more critical.

“Nigeria has not had censors in a long time so we don’t really have a head count but if we start with the children, at least we would know the number of children to care for and it would guide on how the government can provide for its citizens,” she added.

She, however, raised concerns over persistently high rates of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality in the country.

“Nigeria is a huge population, when it comes to Tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and Child and Maternal mobility, all those are what the numbers are still high, and it is worrisome for me,” she said.

“However, we are not seating with our hands folded, we are trying to do the best that we can to see that this administration is able to position Nigeria to what the future should hold for us.”

Senator Tinubu thanked UNICEF for its partnership and pledged continued collaboration.

“In any area you want us to collaborate, we are here, we want to thank the UNICEF for the interest and the works you have done, in years that I have known UNICEF, they have always given us a right data to work with,” she said.