In keeping with the UNICEF 2030 vision, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have committed to working together to take a major step toward obtaining universal registration and legal identification for all Nigerian children.

After visiting with a UNICEF delegation led by Ibrahim Siseh, the organization’s chief child protection officer, yesterday in Abuja, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director-general (DG) of the NOA, made this announcement in a news statement.

According to him, the main goal of the conference was to establish a strategic alliance with the purpose of creating an action plan and public awareness campaign to ensure that every kid in Nigeria has a legal identity and is registered.

Just 60–65 percent of Nigerian children are currently registered, which underscores the urgent need for action, according to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, which emphasizes the importance of providing legal identity for everyone, including birth registration. Issa-Onilu emphasized this point.

In addition, he noted that in order to guarantee that every kid receives a birth certificate, UNICEF and NOA’s partnership involves utilizing digitalized infrastructure and already-existing health services.

Issa-Onilu stated that integrating traditional communicators to change customs and enhance social communication, as well as removing obstacles within households and raising demand for high-quality civil registration services, are important priorities.

Emphasizing the importance of the collaboration, Issa-Onilu underscored the organization’s dedication to collaborating with relevant parties on matters pertaining to women and children, encompassing the advancement of family values and parenting.

He reiterated the value of raising community awareness and the part traditional leaders play in advancing the goal for citizen registration.

He pointed out that the most efficient approach to accomplish the campaign’s objectives is to use demographic databanks and conventional venues to successfully contact Nigerians, drawing comparisons with other successful initiatives like the eradication of polio and the education of girls.