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Birth Registration: 3.5m children ‘invisible’ in South-West, Edo records — Report
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Birth Registration: 3.5m children ‘invisible’ in South-West, Edo records — Report

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • A UNICEF report indicates 3.5 million children under one year old lack birth registration in Nigeria's South-West and Edo State.
  • These children are considered "invisible" due to the absence of legal identity in government records.
  • UNICEF emphasizes the necessity of birth registration for every Nigerian child.

An alarming report from UNICEF reveals that approximately 3.5 million children under the age of one in Nigeria's South-West states and Edo State are not registered at birth. This lack of registration renders these children legally invisible, meaning they do not exist in official government records. The United Nations Children's Fund is urging for universal birth registration, stressing that every Nigerian child must have their birth officially recorded to ensure their legal identity and access to services.

The report highlights a critical gap in vital statistics, leaving a significant portion of the youngest population undocumented. This "invisibility" can have profound implications for a child's access to education, healthcare, and protection under the law. Without a birth certificate, these children may face significant hurdles throughout their lives, hindering their full participation in society.

Every Nigerian child must be registered

— UNICEFEmphasizing the importance of birth registration for all children in Nigeria.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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