FCTA FLAGS OFF BIRTH REGISTRATION EXERCISE IN AMAC

By: Kemi Adeyemi and Martha Yusuf Shibayan.

The FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, in collaboration with UNICEF and other key partners, on Monday formally flagged off the Social Mobilization for Birth Registration in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The event, held at the palace of His Royal Highness, the Sa’Peyi of Garki, Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, in Garki, Abuja, marked the final phase of the campaign that had earlier covered five other area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

The exercise, which began on March 26, 2026, covered Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Kuje Area Councils and culminated on April 13 at the Chief of Garki Palace.

In her keynote address, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the initiative as a deliberate intervention to strengthen identity management in Nigeria.

She said the programme is being implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, the Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCTA, the FCT Primary Healthcare System, the National Population Commission (NPC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA)

She added that the exercise coordinated nationwide, builds on the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and is designed to transition from analogue systems to a digital identity framework that supports national planning, security, and development.

According to her, the AMAC phase covers 17 districts and six communities, with a focus on ensuring that no child is left behind. She also announced that nutritional education would be integrated into the programme.

She emphasized that birth registration is not merely about obtaining a piece of paper, but a fundamental right that guarantees every child a legal identity, protects their future access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, and prevents identity crisis later in life.

“Without a birth certificate, every other certificate from primary school to university and NYSC is in crisis,” she warned.

She made a passionate appeal to traditional rulers, particularly the Sapeyi of Garki, HRH Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, and the 17 chiefdoms of the FCT, to provide leadership and support. She urged royal fathers to give clear directives to their communities, especially through their wives and women groups, to drive massive mobilization.

Dr. Adedayo also issued a strong advisory against laminating birth certificates, explaining that lamination damages the document and renders it invalid for digital identity purposes.

The Chief of Garki, Dr. Alhaji Usman NGA Kupi, commended the initiative, particularly the inclusion of nutrition, and pledged the support of traditional institutions in mobilising communities, stressing that grassroots involvement is key to ensuring every child is registered.

UNICEF Child Protection Specialist for Birth Registration in Abuja, Phydelia Abbas, said birth registration has existed for years but remains low in Nigeria, especially among children under one year of age.

She said nearly seven million children are being targeted for registration in 2026 and urged parents and caregivers to prioritise registration.

While welcoming dignatries to the event, the Head, Child Department, Idris Yahaya Attah said the exercise is aimed at ensuring no child is left behind in the quest for universal birth registration.

Dr Attah explained that the campaign will enable the immediate issuance of new digital birth certificates to children from zero to one year old, as well as those aged one to five years. He stressed that the registration is entirely free for all children under five years in the FCT.

Also speaking, the Director of the National Population Commission in the FCT, Alhaji Suleiman Gada, said the exercise is aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of birth certificates for legal identity and national planning. He commended UNICEF, the Women Affairs Secretariat, ALGON, and other stakeholders for their collaboration.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ikechukwu, described the process as seamless and expressed gratitude after successfully registering her child.

“I have tried to register my son for a long time without success. When I heard about this exercise, I rushed out. I am very happy,” she said.

The exercise will continue to ensure that no child in the Federal Capital Territory is left undocumented.