LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Ganiyat Mumuni
The National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (E-CRVS) in Lagos State.
At a news conference on the E-CRVS, Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State, Mrs. Saidat Olayinka-Oladunjoye, said the innovative system is aimed at improving the quality of life and to ensure the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.
She stressed that civil registration is the bedrock of any functional society because it provides the legal foundation for the identity of individuals, and serves as the first step in accessing healthcare, education, employment, and other social services.
The commissioner also highlighted the benefits of E-CRVS to extend beyond improving registration processes. According to her, the system has the potential to transform data governance and public service delivery through enhanced policy formulation, economic growth and development, social justice and equity.
She added: “The operationalization of the E-CRVS system in Lagos State marks a new dawn for the Commission and indeed Nigeria. It is a leap towards modernisation; a step that will ensure that each of our citizens is recognised, counted and served.
“Nigeria faces significant challenges in this area. Millions of our citizens lack birth and death certificates, which leaves them vulnerable and disenfranchised. Without proper civil documentation, many are unable to access basic services, travel freely, or enroll their children in school. The absence of accurate vital statistics further hampers governments’ ability to formulate effective policies and respond to the needs of our population.
“Lagos State is operating 141 Registration Centres spread across all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, ensuring that there are at least four centres in each council, as well as in certain Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
“All the centres were being operated manually with informants coming up to notify the registrar about an event before it is registered. The new electronic civil registration system will digitise the processes of birth and death registration, still-births, marriage licenses, and other vital events, thereby enabling faster, more efficient, and more secure registrations.
“It will allow for more accessibility and inclusion, real-time data collection, data security and privacy, and integration with health systems, it will begin from now till December.
“The Commission will engage in regular assessments of the system’s performance, feedback mechanisms will be established to gather input from users and stakeholders, which will guide continuous improvement and development.”
State Director Bamidele Sadiku added that there are daily advancements in technology, and it is guaranteed that the equipments being used are of high standards. He noted that queries will be issued in the case of any discrepancy, which will pause the registration until the issue is resolved.
“Once the registration is on and we notice a mistake in data input or distortion, we issue a query immediately to prevent the continuation, and the query must be resolved. For example, if an adult picture is used to register a 0 to 3 year old, such will be queried. The registration will only continue if the issue is cleared. A certificate will also be issued and a QR code which can be scanned to trace where the registration was done for confirmation.
“The British Embassy has supported us with computer hardware to assist us in verification,” he added.
According to Sadiku, the E-CVRS began with the training of staff and ad hoc staff on August 26. The exercise will end in December.
