In a significant stride towards precision in demographic data, President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the National Geospatial Data Repository and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (CRVS) in Nigeria. The system aims to revolutionise the collection, processing, and management of vital statistics, providing real-time and accurate population figures.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of the CRVS system, stating, “This launch marks another great step in our efforts to generate accurate and reliable demographic data in Nigeria. The CRVS system is the basic building block of an identity ecosystem. It will help to improve service delivery, care, and knowledge to Nigerians and shall ultimately become a vital source of identity data across federal agencies.”
The President called on all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to support the initiative, stating, “Don’t say this is not my business; please cooperate.” He highlighted the potential benefits, stating, “It is hoped that the current drive to reposition this vital registration system will provide the basis for 100 per cent attainment of our 2030 SDG targets.”
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasised the significance of the system for Nigeria’s most important asset—its people. “Nigeria’s most important asset is its people, especially its children, present and generations yet unborn,” he said.
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, commended Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing civil registration data, stating, “UNICEF remains steadfast in its support of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s endeavour to build a sustainable civil registration and vital statistics system.”
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, highlighted the alignment of the initiative with international agendas, saying, “The inauguration of CRVS emphasises the commitment of the current administration to strengthen civil registration, data capture, processing, and timely access to vital statistics.”
The implementation of the CRVS system is expected to have far-reaching implications, including improved accuracy and reliability, real-time data management, enhanced policy formulation, and efficient resource allocation. Nigeria anticipates that this initiative will play a pivotal role in achieving its development goals and ensuring global recognition for its commitment to accurate population figures.
