The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Aminu Yusuf, has stressed that birth registration is a critical foundation for legal identity, access to social services and the production of credible national data.
Yusuf made this known on Thursday during the presentation of a National Birth Certificate to Nigeria’s first baby of 2026 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
The certificate was presented by the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who officially unveiled Baby Zion Adakole, born exactly at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
The baby was delivered via caesarean section to a 26-year-old first-time mother, Mrs Patience Adakole, and her husband, Mr Celestine Adakole.
Speaking on the significance of the document, Yusuf explained that birth registration provides every child with a legal identity from birth and ensures access to essential services.
According to him, the certificate serves as an important lifelong document, granting access to education, healthcare and other social benefits while affirming the child’s official recognition by the state.
He noted that the commission remains committed to increasing awareness and coverage of birth registration nationwide, adding that plans were underway to extend similar initiatives to all states beyond the annual New Year baby event held at the national level.
Yusuf said the NPC intended to work closely with state governments, first ladies, commissioners and state directors to strengthen public awareness on the importance of registering births.
He further emphasised that widespread and accurate birth registration is vital for transparent population data and effective national planning.
Yusuf clarified that while the commission does not directly control population growth, it plays a central role in providing reliable data to guide policies and programmes implemented by relevant ministries and agencies.
The event was attended by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and other dignitaries.