ASABA/Nigeria: The National Population Commission has fixed March 1, 2026, as the final deadline for manual processing of birth and death registrations and issuance of attestation forms, signaling a nationwide transition to a fully digital civil registration system.
The National Commissioner representing Delta State, Blessyn Brume Ataguba, announced the directive in Asaba during a press briefing to unveil the state-level rollout of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) platform.
Ataguba explained that the digital system, developed in partnership with local and international collaborators, is designed to capture and manage records of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and migration, replacing the traditional paper-based process with a modern solution aligned with global standards.
“The process marks a complete departure from manual recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital system that conforms to international best practices. It will revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in Nigeria,” she said, adding that nationwide implementation would commence immediately after the deadline.
She noted that the reform is expected to overhaul civil registration administration and provide a reliable database essential for socio-economic planning, policy formulation and national development.
State Director of the commission, Jane Odigwe, highlighted the importance of legal identity for children, disclosing that the commission has strengthened collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission to streamline registration procedures.
“Parents, the days of double stress are over. Once you register your child’s birth with us, the record automatically generates a National Identification Number, which will be printed on the birth certificate. With one action, you secure your child’s legal identity for life,” she said.
Also speaking, State ICT Lead for the e-CRVS project, Erunube Jerry, advised citizens to complete registrations at any NPC office, designated healthcare facility or through the commission’s online portal, noting that the digital option would enhance accessibility and efficiency.
As part of preparations for full implementation, controllers from the 25 local government areas in the state were presented with digital devices to support data capture and ensure seamless rollout of the new electronic civil registration system nationwide.
