kakalistiq.com reports that the leadership of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026, convened the NPC VITALREG Retreat at Lakowe Lakes, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system.
The retreat, organized in collaboration with Barnksforte, focused on accelerating the VITALREG project, a flagship initiative aimed at improving birth and death registration, enhancing population data accuracy, and deepening grassroots participation in civil registration across the country.
Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, led discussions on the strategic importance of reliable population data for effective governance, planning, and service delivery. He stressed that the success of the VITALREG project depends largely on synergy between federal institutions and local government authorities.
According to him, the VITALREG initiative is a cornerstone of national development because credible population data guides policies in healthcare, education, security and economic planning. He noted that it was imperative to continue to work closely with states and local governments to ensure that no Nigerian is left out of the civil registration system.
He also commended the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and chairmen of local governments across the state for their consistent support in strengthening civil registration and population data management.
At the retreat, the NPC Chairman highlighted the significance of the recently flagged-off electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) initiative in Lagos State, launched in partnership with UNICEF, the NPC and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). The programme is designed to ensure that every child born in Lagos State is captured in the national database in real time.
Dr. Yusuf noted that Lagos State’s leadership in adopting digital registration systems positions it as a model for other states in the federation.
“The commitment of Lagos State to the e-CRVS project demonstrates that with political will and inter-agency collaboration, Nigeria can build a modern and inclusive civil registration system that meets global standards,” he added.
Speaking on the importance of the retreat, the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State at the NPC, Barrister Olayinka Oladunjoye, described the gathering as timely and impactful for the future of population data management in the state.
“This retreat has provided a strong platform for capacity building, policy alignment and shared understanding of the VITALREG project. For Lagos State, it reinforces our determination to ensure that every birth and death is properly registered, which is critical for planning social services, protecting children’s rights and attracting development support,” Oladunjoye said.
She further explained that the outcomes of the retreat would directly benefit Lagos residents by improving access to essential services and strengthening data-driven governance.
“The overall benefits for Lagos State are enormous. With accurate and comprehensive civil registration, government can better plan for schools, hospitals and infrastructure, while families can enjoy easier access to identity documents and social protection programmes,” she stated.
Participants at the retreat agreed that sustained collaboration among the NPC, state governments and local councils remains key to achieving universal civil registration and ensuring that the VITALREG project delivers long-term national value.
The NPC VITALREG Retreat concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to intensify grassroots engagement, strengthen digital registration systems and support Nigeria’s drive toward a credible and inclusive population data framework.
