UNICEF lauds First Lady’s leadership as Nigeria hits 14m birth registrations in two years

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her exceptional leadership in child welfare, celebrating the country’s unprecedented milestone of 14 million birth registrations within just two years.

UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Abdelatef, delivered the commendation during a courtesy visit to Mrs. Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. She hailed the achievement as a testament to purposeful leadership, robust national coordination, and rapid digitalisation of the birth registration system, backed by legislative support and the First Lady’s sustained advocacy.

“Birth registration guarantees every child the right to identity, recognition, and access to essential services,” Abdelatef stated, highlighting how these efforts have propelled Nigeria forward.

The agency also recognised Mrs. Tinubu’s wider contributions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including support for children, families, and vulnerable communities, earning her acclaim across Africa for compassionate leadership.

Responding, the First Lady emphasised that “every Nigerian child must be counted,” positioning birth registration as a cornerstone for national planning, healthcare, and social inclusion. She described the feat as vital for generating accurate data and driving sustainable development.

She expressed satisfaction with the progress but renewed her pledge to combat key health threats like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality through enhanced partnerships. She thanked UNICEF for its reliable data and support, vowing deeper collaboration to leave no child behind and foster inclusive growth.