In a landmark push to modernise how Nigeria records and plans for its people, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for deeper collaboration among government institutions to digitise and integrate the country’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems.
The message was clear and urgent: Nigeria’s future must be built on real-time data and digital identity.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National CRVS Coordination Committee, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s director general, stressed the pivotal role of CRVS in driving inclusive development, national planning, and effective governance.
“From registering people at birth to giving them legal identity and connecting that data to national planning, budgeting, and service delivery, technology can help us stitch everything together,” Inuwa said.
CRVS Reform Anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda
The engagement brought together key national institutions, National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in a collaborative forum designed to align CRVS reform with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At the heart of the agenda: digital public infrastructure, efficient service delivery, and data-driven policymaking.
Inuwa pointed out that fragmented and siloed data systems continue to undermine Nigeria’s ability to plan, allocate resources, and deliver services effectively.
“Without harmonised data, we can’t generate the insight we need for real progress. Civil registration and vital statistics are foundational to smart governance, at federal, state, and local levels,” he said.
NITDA’s Role: Standards, Advisory, and Technology Enablement
As Nigeria transitions toward a fully digital identity ecosystem, Inuwa pledged NITDA’s full support to the CRVS digital transformation effort.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to setting standards, providing digital advisory services, and enabling the technological backbone that institutions will need to implement integrated, citizen-focused systems.
“At NITDA, our job is to ensure that the right frameworks are in place, so that every birth, death, and life event is captured securely and efficiently. Everything must be digital, seamless, and citizen-centric,” he added.
He emphasized that digital identity is no longer a luxury but a necessity for everyday life, from accessing healthcare to schooling, finance, and public benefits.
“Digital is a lifestyle now. No one wants to fill forms on paper or move from office to office. Nigerians deserve better, and technology can deliver that.”
High-Level Support for a Unified Vision
The meeting was attended by an array of high-level stakeholders, reflecting broad political and institutional support for CRVS reform. Dignitaries included:
- Senator Victor Umeh, chairman, Senate Committee on National Identity & National Population
- Nasir Isa Kwarra, chairman, National Population Commission (NPC)
- Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation & CEO, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
- Abisoye Coker-Odusote, DG/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
- Bello Lawal, president, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)
Together, the stakeholders agreed that the time for action is now, to build a national CRVS system that is integrated, interoperable, and inclusive.
A Future Written in Data
As the meeting wrapped up, it was clear that the path forward for Nigeria’s national development depends on more than good intentions, it requires trusted data, unified systems, and the collective will to digitise the very foundation of governance: the people.
With NITDA’s support and the shared commitment of partner agencies, Nigeria is taking critical steps toward a future where every citizen counts, every birth is recorded, and every service is just a click away.
