NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF join forces to improve Nigerian birth registration

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Population Commission (NPC), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the intention of revolutionizing and improving birth registration in Nigeria. This MoU was signed by all three organizations.

According to the Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. YD Ahmed, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed on Wednesday is aimed at solidifying the commitment of the three organizations to collaborate and support the digitalized birth registration process in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This was stated by the Director General of NYSC.

Gen. Ahmed, who spoke about the collaboration in Abuja, explained that the “partnership aims to provide a robust framework within which the parties can implement a comprehensive and efficient digitalized birth registration process across Nigeria.”

“It is an honour for the National Youth Service Corps to partner with the NPC and UNICEF on such an important endeavour,” said Ahmed.

“Our deployment of 850 corps members as coordinators and supervisors will ensure effective monitoring and supervision of the birth registration process. “Together, we will strive to achieve comprehensive data collection and availability, supporting increased birth registration coverage in our respective LGAs.”

In addition, the Chairman of NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, commented on the partnership by stating that the NPC, as a key partner in the project, will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this partnership.

“We are dedicated to providing support for the recruitment of ad hoc birth registrars at the ward level and to ensuring that registration materials are made available to coordinators and supervisors.

Together, we will generate and analyze data that has been digitalized for birth registration at the LGAs and wards, which will ultimately lead to an increase in birth registration coverage.

UNICEF, for its part, has stated that it will contribute its knowledge in order to support the implementation of digitalized birth registration services in the focus states.

According to Cristian Munduate, who serves as UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, the organization’s primary focus will be on “providing technical assistance and evidence-based interventions.”