In strategic efforts to end child invisibility and ensure every Nigerian child has legal identity, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has renewed its strategic partnership with the Lagos State Government to register 545,000 newborns by 2025.
Speaking at the Lagos State Multi-Sectoral Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Birth Registration, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, delivered a powerful message: birth registration is not a bureaucratic formality—it is the first and most critical line of defence for every child.
“Birth registration is the first line of protection for every child. Without it, children cannot access healthcare, education, or social services. Without it, they are invisible,” Lafoucriere declared, underscoring the urgency of the campaign.
Despite Lagos boasting one of the highest birth registration rates in Nigeria, 94 per cent of children under five are already registered, the UNICEF chief made it clear that the job is far from complete. Hard-to-reach communities, informal settlements, and low-income families continue to face systemic barriers that leave countless children unaccounted for.
“Lagos State has made real progress. With 94 percent of children under five registered, you are at the forefront. But the work is far from done. Our goal is to leave no child behind,” she said.
In September 2025, the National Population Commission (NPC), with UNICEF’s backing, began distributing over 16 million birth certificates nationwide. Lagos received the lion’s share, more than six million certificates, reflecting both the scale of its achievement and the trust placed in its administrative systems.
“This shows both the scale of what Lagos has accomplished and the trust placed in your systems,” Lafoucriere noted.
The current focus is laser-sharp: register every child under one year of age. Previous national drives successfully covered over 12 million children under five in the past three years. Now, the emphasis is on ensuring that birth registration becomes second nature for every Nigerian parent.
“This year, we’re concentrating on newborns because we should have far fewer unregistered under-fives now. The goal is to make birth registration second nature for every parent,” Lafoucriere explained.
She issued a stark warning: unregistered children are invisible in national statistics. They are excluded from development planning, social protection schemes, and government budgets. Their absence from official records renders them non-existent in the eyes of the state.
“When you have a census or population survey, unregistered children do not exist. They are missing from budgets and social protection plans. Without legal identity, they can’t benefit from government programmes,” she cautioned.
The consequences extend beyond public services. Lack of registration can lead to inheritance disputes and legal exclusion.
“When you are a successor or heir, but you don’t have legal identity, you simply don’t exist in the eyes of the law. That can open the door to abuses,” she warned.
Lafoucriere confirmed that all birth registration and health facility trainings have been completed across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas. Registration supplies, including tablets, have been fully distributed.
“The foundation is in place. I can safely say that Lagos is ready,” Lafoucriere declared.
Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Lagos, stressed the urgency of the campaign. “Without registration, there is no identity. And without identity, we can’t plan for them,” she said.
Oladunjoye emphasised that accurate registration data enables effective planning for schools, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure. “If you know the number of children born in a place like Mushin, you can plan how many schools or health centres to build. That is why this is so important.”
Mrs Olajumoke Otitoloju, Welfare Officer for the Child Protection Network (CPN) and Project Coordinator for Yanuora Children’s Care Foundation, addressed the persistent barriers to universal registration. “Birth registration is the first legal identity of a child’s existence in the community. When a child is not registered, that child is invisible. Millions of children in rural and low-income areas still fall through the cracks.”
Otitoloju identified lack of awareness as a major bottleneck. “We don’t have enough campaigns or awareness for parents and caregivers on the importance of birth registration. Because of this, many do not see why it matters.”
She also raised alarm over unofficial personnel who exploit the system. “Although birth registration is free, some unofficial personnel charge parents or issue fake certificates, discouraging genuine registration. This must be addressed.”
Otitoloju called for stronger collaboration among government ministries, agencies, health workers, and civil society to strengthen data collection and policy planning. “When we have accurate data of children, the government can make policies that favour their welfare. But when a child is not registered, that child doesn’t exist in the system.”
To improve compliance, Otitoloju proposed establishing birth registration desks in primary schools. “When a child is admitted into school without a birth certificate, parents should be directed to register immediately.”
She also urged faith-based organisations to demand proof of registration during naming ceremonies. “If churches and mosques request for birth certificates before naming a child, it will help families understand its importance. It’s not just about giving a name, it’s about giving an identity.”
The dialogue, themed “Every Child Counts: Accelerating Birth Registration in Lagos State,” brought together officials from the Ministries of Health, Education, Youth and Social Development, ALGON, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and the media.
