By Seyi Gesinde
One of the achievements recorded by the present administration shortly after it assumed power in 2023 was the launch of a new National Geospatial Data Repository Digital by President Bola Tinubu, a novel idea introduced by the National Population Commission (NPC).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) of Nigerians in conforming with the global best practices.
President Tinubu lauding the initiative of the electronic system of registration directed all relevant government agencies to cooperate in ensuring the success of the Digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System and the National Geospatial Data Repository, noting that Nigeria’s population remains the greatest asset for the country in its broader mission to become one of the largest economies in the world, as he also charged the NPC to deploy the system in future population censuses.
This laudable effort was made possible by the trio NPC, the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), and Barnkforte Technologies Limited committed to technology solutions development and implementation. This is an indigenous international private organization that powered the VitalReg application for CVRS.
It is good to note that digitising Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Nigeria with the VitalReg application by the NPC offers several benefits that can greatly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the registration process such as improved accuracy and quality, as this will reduce the chances of human errors and ensures accurate and high-quality data collection, leading to reliable vital statistics. This is why Nigeria should buy into it as VitalReg comes with different variants now live for Nigeria to access from the comfort of their homes via the NPC website: https://nationalpopulation.gov.ng/
It equally makes available real-time data as a digitised system allows for immediate data availability, enabling policymakers, government agencies, and researchers to access up-to-date and accurate vital statistics for effective decision-making, while it increases efficiency with the application streamlining the registration process, eliminating paperwork and manual data entry. This saves time and makes processing faster, making it more convenient for individuals registering vital events.
There is also an opportunity for widened coverage since digitisation can help extend civil registration coverage to remote areas and underserved communities. This ensures that everyone has access to register vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and more. It promotes inclusivity and enhances data security. Infiltration of privacy won’t be an issue. Personal information is intact with the implementation of appropriate security measures, protecting individuals’ privacy and confidentiality.
With a series of opportunities desirable from this lofty initiative, in response to it, Nigerians can take certain steps to support and benefit from it such as joining in spreading awareness among their communities about the initiative’s advantages and encouraging participation. Individuals should also actively participate in the civil registration process by registering births, deaths, marriages, and other significant events promptly. Timely registration ensures accurate data and helps in policy planning and resource allocation.
Likewise, Nigerian users can provide feedback and suggestions to the National Population Commission (NPC) regarding their experiences with the VitalReg application. This can help the commission improve the system and make it more user-friendly. Then, stakeholders, including community leaders, civil society organizations, and media, can collaborate with the NPC to promote the digitisation initiative. They can organize workshops, seminars, and media campaigns to encourage participation and understanding.
Similarly, Nigerian researchers, policymakers, and government agencies should leverage the digitised data for evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation. Using accurate and up-to-date vital statistics can lead to efficient service delivery and improved socioeconomic development.
It is good to note that part of VitalReg’s success story is the fact that after the successful completion of significant milestones of its introduction, the system has recorded over 12 million birth registrations within a short timeframe of four months, demonstrating VitalReg’s capability to deliver on its promises and showcases its potential for scalability.
Reflecting on its achievement, the NPC has assured Nigerians that with VitalReg, they stand to “Experience seamless registration with a swift and user-friendly interface where every step is designed to be eggirtlrsd making your time worthwhile, in the “Birth registration, birth attestation, birth notification, birth verification, hospital onboarding,” and more.
In essence, if everyone actively supports and engages in the digitisation process, collectively, Nigerians can contribute to building a modern and efficient civil registration and vital statistics system for the benefit of their societies, states and the country at large.
• Gesinde is an award-winning journalist, digital marketer and social commentator.