Nigeria launches VitalReg digital registration system

The National Population Commission (NPC) has launched a nationwide digital Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system in Nigeria. Known as VitalReg, the electronic platform became fully operational on July 1, 2026, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative aims to transition from fragmented, paper-based methods to an integrated electronic system to improve the documentation of births and deaths. This reform is intended to strengthen data integrity, provide reliable information for national planning, and assist health and identity management agencies.

Currently, Nigeria faces significant registration gaps. While the country records approximately five million births annually, birth registration coverage stands at roughly 57 per cent, and death registration remains below 20 per cent. The digital system is expected to make registration faster and more accessible, particularly for rural and underserved communities. The NPC has already established over 4,000 functional registration centres and plans to expand this number to approximately 8,000 nationwide.