In a landmark development for child rights in West Africa, UNICEF has officially commended Nigeria for a historic surge in birth registrations, revealing that 14 million children have been documented over the past two years.
The milestone was highlighted during a high-level courtesy visit by the UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
A Global Benchmark for Progress
Ms. Abdelatef praised the rapid acceleration of the registration process, noting that the integration of digital systems at health facilities and pending legislative support from the National Assembly have been instrumental.
“Birth registration is the first right of every child to be counted and recognized. It is really impressive. I have served in many places, but I have not seen progress like this in just two years,” Ms. Abdelatef stated.
The UNICEF representative further attributed this success to the First Lady’s advocacy through the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that her leadership is gaining recognition across the African Union for its tangible impact on family welfare and national development.
Foundation for National Planning
Responding to the commendation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasized that while the 14 million figure is a significant achievement, the mission remains incomplete until every Nigerian child is accounted for.
The First Lady linked the importance of birth registration to broader national security and economic planning, particularly in the absence of a recent national census.
“Every child counts,” the First Lady remarked. “Starting with children allows us to know their numbers and guide government planning for citizens’ welfare. This is how nations develop.”
Tackling Public Health Hurdles
Despite the celebration of data accuracy and registration growth, the First Lady used the forum to address the concerning prevalence of public health challenges. She specifically cited high maternal and child mortality rates, Persistent struggles with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and the the need for data-driven interventions to reach Nigeria’s vast population.
Senator Tinubu expressed her gratitude for UNICEF’s long-standing partnership, noting that the organization’s ability to provide accurate data remains a cornerstone for the government’s health and social initiatives.
Strengthening Future Collaborations
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen the partnership between the Office of the First Lady and UNICEF. Senator Tinubu assured the delegation that Nigeria is “not sitting idle” and remains ready to collaborate on any initiative that secures a better future for the Nigerian child.
