Health
Kano Community Records Massive Turnout In Digital Birth Registration Exercise
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
Residents of Wasarde Birgima community, Joda ward of Gabasawa Local Government Area in Kano have recorded massive participation in the ongoing electronic birth registration exercise aimed at providing legal identity for children in hard-to-reach settlements.
The initiative, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented through collaboration between the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, ALGON and UNICEF, aims to improve access to electronic birth registration services in underserved communities
Speaking during the exercise, Abba Hussaini , the focal person for Under-One Birth Registration, described the turnout as highly encouraging, noting that the programme targeted underserved and remote communities often left out of government documentation exercises.
According to him, more than 626 children were registered in the Wasarde Birgima community alone.
He appreciated UNICEF for supporting the initiative through technical assistance, training of personnel and provision of registration equipment that enhanced the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Hussaini commended residents for their participation and highlighted the crucial role of traditional leaders, who worked closely with religious and community stakeholders to mobilize families.
Also speaking, Bashir Aminu from the National Population Commission described the turnout as commendable, noting that the introduction of electronic registration has simplified the process by enabling instant issuance of birth certificates.
He explained that the digital registration system is helping to improve documentation and data management while ensuring that children receive certificates immediately after registration.
Hussaina Ahmad, who brought her eight-month-old daughter, Aisha, after missing the previous exercise in September 2025, said that she was only two weeks into motherhood then.
According to Hussaina, her husband, a commercial motorcycle operator, learned about the exercise from the village head and informed her.
“I don’t know my own birth date and I want my children to have an identity from the start.” she said.
She explained that the registration was essential for school enrollment and other future benefits.
“I didn’t attend school, and neither did my parents, but I want my child to go to school and become influential in the community. Every child deserves this,” she added.
Hussaina noted that she would return to her community to educate other parents about the importance of early registration, praising the organisations bringing the service closer to families.
Kaltume Ali of Unguwar Tsakiya who brought her four-month-old son, Musa, said community awareness campaigns helped her realise that children without birth certificates often face barriers to healthcare, education, social protection, and other opportunities.
“My husband first heard about the registration from the village head and encouraged me to enrol our child.”
Also participating was Asmau Sagir of Unguwar Yamma, who brought her seven-month-old son, Abdulrahman, said birth registration is to safeguard children’s identity and future.
She noted that digital registration helps families avoid challenges later, particularly with school enrollment and access to government services.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
