The National Population Commission (NPC) has officially ended manual registration for births and deaths across Nigeria, declaring that certificates issued outside its new electronic platform will no longer be recognized. The commission announced that its Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) platform, operational since July 1, 2026, is now the sole approved channel for registering births and deaths nationwide.
The declaration was made on Monday in Umuahia by the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in the NPC, Rev. Emma Trumps Eke, during a briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Population Day and the nationwide rollout of the digital system. Eke emphasized that the transition to a fully digital registration system will facilitate real-time registration, enhance national planning, strengthen identity management, and reduce fraud associated with paper-based documentation.
Strict Warning Against Manual Registration
“Anybody giving you manual registration is leading you into trouble. We have stopped everything about manual registration. From now on, every registration must be digital and captured in real time,” Eke warned. He cautioned that any NPC official found issuing manual certificates after the launch of the new platform will face disciplinary actions, including suspension or dismissal. The commission has also instructed all registration centers to stop accepting paper applications and to direct citizens to the digital portal.
Integration with Government Agencies
According to Eke, the digital database will be integrated with key agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps. This integration will allow birth records to be verified for official transactions like passport applications, driver’s licenses, bank accounts, and other government services. Citizens can now register births through an online self-service portal, with applications expected to be authenticated within 72 hours. Physical registration centers will continue to operate at local government offices and health facilities across the country for those without internet access.
Importance for National Development
Eke stressed that accurate population data is crucial for effective national development, noting that governments rely on demographic information when planning schools, hospitals, industries, employment programs, and emergency interventions. He also revealed that preparations for a national population and housing census had reached an advanced stage before the exercise was suspended in 2023 due to the election transition and subsequent economic challenges. The commissioner stated that the NPC expects the next national census to take place after the 2027 general elections and expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu could approve the exercise in 2028.
End of 30-Year Paper-Based System
Earlier, the Abia State Director of the NPC, Mrs. Joyce Ogwuruike, described the electronic registration system as a major departure from more than 30 years of paper-based record keeping. She urged parents to register their children before the age of five, warning that delayed registration could affect development planning and children’s access to interventions such as immunization and other government-supported programs. “This digital system ensures that every Nigerian child is counted and can access services from birth,” she said.
Support from National Orientation Agency
Also speaking, the National Orientation Agency’s representative, Kingsley Ukanwoke, described the initiative as a landmark reform that will provide Nigerians with legal identity while giving the government more accurate population data for planning. He pledged the agency’s support in raising public awareness and encouraging nationwide adoption of the electronic registration system. “We are committed to ensuring every citizen understands the importance of this transition and complies with the new requirements,” Ukanwoke added.
The NPC’s move is part of broader efforts to digitize government services and improve data accuracy for policy formulation. The commission has set up help desks and call centers to assist citizens with the online registration process. With the new E-CRVS system, Nigeria joins a growing number of African countries adopting digital civil registration to enhance efficiency and curb fraud.
