The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Women Affairs Secretariat, has officially flagged off a social mobilization campaign for birth registration in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), marking the final phase of the exercise across the six area councils of the FCT.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the palace of the Sa’Peyi of Garki in Abuja, brought together government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to drive awareness on the importance of birth registration.
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and other key agencies, began on March 26, 2026, covering Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Kuje Area Councils before concluding in AMAC on April 13.
Speaking at the event, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s identity management system and ensuring that every child has a legal identity.
She noted that the exercise aligns with national efforts to transition from analogue to digital identity systems, enhancing national planning, security, and development.
According to her, the AMAC phase of the campaign will cover 17 districts and six communities, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity to ensure no child is left unregistered. She added that nutrition education would also be incorporated into the programme.
Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized that birth registration goes beyond documentation, describing it as a fundamental right that secures a child’s access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
“Without a birth certificate, every other certificate from primary school to university and even NYSC is at risk,” she said.
She called on traditional rulers across the FCT to support the initiative by mobilizing their communities, particularly through women groups, to ensure widespread participation.
The Sa’Peyi of Garki, Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, commended the initiative and pledged the support of traditional institutions in ensuring its success, stressing the importance of grassroots involvement.
Also speaking, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Phydelia Abbas, noted that despite years of birth registration efforts in Nigeria, coverage remains low, especially among children under one year. She revealed that nearly seven million children are being targeted for registration in 2026.
The Head of the Child Department, Idris Yahaya Attah, explained that the exercise would facilitate the immediate issuance of digital birth certificates for children aged zero to five years, adding that registration is free for all children under five in the FCT.
Similarly, the Director of the National Population Commission (NPC) in the FCT, Alhaji Suleiman Gada, highlighted the importance of birth registration for legal identity and national data planning, commending stakeholders for their collaboration.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ikechukwu, expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as seamless after successfully registering her child.
The FCTA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no child in the territory remains undocumented, as the campaign continues to promote universal birth registration across the FCT.