In a bid to accelerate the reform of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems in Nigeria, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital identity and data integration as vital tools for national planning and inclusive governance.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Co-ordination Committee, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, the NITDA boss stressed the centrality of harmonised digital systems in delivering effective, evidence-based governance across all tiers of government.
The high-level stakeholder engagement drew participation from critical institutions including the National Population Commission (NPC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with the DG reiterating that CRVS reform is integral to achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The agenda, he noted, prioritises digital public infrastructure, efficient service delivery, and data-driven policymaking.
“The importance of civil registration and vital statistics cannot be overemphasised. It is foundational for making informed and insightful decisions at every level of government — federal, state, and local,” Inuwa said.
He further highlighted the challenges posed by disjointed data systems, which hinder the nation’s ability to plan and respond effectively to demographic realities. According to him, leveraging technology for the integration of birth registration, identity management, and national planning is not only strategic but urgent.
“From registering people at birth, giving them legal identity, and linking that information to national planning and budgeting, technology can help us stitch everything together. Without harmonising our data, we cannot generate the insight we need for national development,” he added.
Inuwa assured that NITDA will play a central role in enabling the digital transformation of CRVS processes by offering standards, frameworks, and advisory support to relevant agencies. He described the agency’s role as a critical enabler in ensuring that digital systems are secure, interoperable, and citizen-centric.
“At NITDA, our vision is to ensure that the right standards and digital advisory services are in place for all institutions involved in CRVS. We are committed to supporting this committee by enabling the technology that will power seamless, integrated service delivery for all Nigerians,” he affirmed.
The DG also stressed the shift toward a digital-first approach to public services, stating, “Digital is a lifestyle now. Nobody wants to fill out forms on paper or move from office to office. Everything must be digital, seamless, and secure.”
The event was attended by key stakeholders including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity & National Population, Senator Victor Umeh; Chairman of the NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra; Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran; Director General of NIMC, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote; and President of ALGON, Engr. Bello Lawal, among others.
The engagement marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s quest to modernise its civil registration systems and align national data infrastructure with global best practices for inclusive development.
