The National Population Commission (NPC), Enugu State Office, has launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) System, marking the state’s transition to a fully digital registration of births and deaths.
The initiative, flagged off on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, is aimed at improving access to legal identity, enhancing the quality of demographic data, and strengthening national planning through a more efficient and secure civil registration system.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Enugu, the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the National Population Commission, Hon. Ejike Ezeh, described the initiative as a major milestone in the modernisation of Nigeria’s civil registration system through digital technology.
According to him, the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) platform is one of the most significant reforms introduced by the Commission, as it will improve service delivery, reduce delays, and ensure that every birth and death is accurately documented.
Hon. Ezeh expressed concern that despite an estimated five million births recorded annually in Nigeria, millions of births and deaths still go unregistered, denying many citizens legal identity and limiting the availability of reliable data for effective policy formulation and national development.
He disclosed that the Commission has established more than 4,000 functional registration centres across the country’s 774 local government areas and is working to increase the number to about 8,000 to bring registration services closer to communities.
The Federal Commissioner further explained that the digital platform would simplify the registration process, reduce paperwork and waiting time, improve the security of birth and death records, and make civil registration services more accessible to Nigerians.
He urged parents, guardians and residents to promptly register births and deaths through the new digital platform, stressing that timely registration is essential for securing legal identity, improving access to social services, and providing accurate population data for national planning.
Earlier, registrars and controllers drawn from the 17 local government areas of Enugu State underwent intensive training on the operation of the new digital registration system ahead of its official rollout.
Addressing the officers, the State Coordinator of the National Population Commission, Enugu State, Mrs. Jane-Frances Ugwu, urged them to carry out their responsibilities diligently despite the operational challenges confronting the Commission, particularly in rural communities.
She identified poor network connectivity, difficulties with biometric data capture, inadequate manpower, insecurity, and the reluctance of some parents to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) for registration as some of the major challenges affecting effective service delivery.
Mrs. Ugwu encouraged the officers to remain committed to ensuring that every eligible birth and death is captured under the new digital system, noting that the success of the initiative depends largely on their dedication and professionalism.
The press briefing also formed part of activities marking the 2026 World Population Day, observed globally on July 11, with renewed emphasis on the importance of accurate population data for sustainable development and effective governance.
