The National Population Commission (NPC), with the support of UNICEF, has embarked on a Training of Trainers (ToT) and Capacity Building Programme on the ALGON e-Birth Registration Initiative in Sokoto State.

The three-day training will equip frontline implementers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver efficient, accurate, and sustainable birth registration services at the grassroots.

The training for teams that will conduct birth registration through digital registration, known as e-birth registration, will run from Wednesday, 26th to Friday, 28th August 2026. It is aimed at strengthening birth registration and ensuring that children have the opportunity to own a birth certificate right from birth.

The Federal Commissioner for the National Population Commission in Sokoto State, Alhaji Chisso Abdullahi Dattijo, urged participants to concentrate fully on the training proceedings.

Dattijo explained that the commission is constitutionally mandated to undertake the registration of births, deaths and other vital events in the country.

The 3-Day Training of Trainers (ToT) is for Birth Registration LGA Focal Point Persons and Ward Registrars in Sokoto State.

He said the exercise is aimed at deploying vital population and birth statistics for effective national planning and development.

According to him, e-birth registration, which is funded by UNICEF, is designed to protect the identity, rights and future of every child born in the state.

Dattijo urged the participants to step down the knowledge acquired during the training to their respective local government areas to ensure that the objectives of the programme are achieved.

“The main essence of this is to train those who are to train the registrars so that they can perform effectively at the local level. This time around, all 244 wards in the state will be represented by a registrar,” he said.

“We got the support of the state governor and we are very grateful. May Allah bless him. The State Commissioner for Local Government and the ALGON Chairman also cooperated fully for the success of the programme,” he added.

In his welcome address, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Coordinator, Sokoto State, Alhaji Musa Usman, also spoke on the significance of the training exercise.

In his remarks,the Chief Field Officer, UNICEF Sokoto, Mr. Michael Juma, spoke extensively on the significance of e-birth registration, particularly for children under 5 years.

Mr. Juma represented by the UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, Mr. Pius Uwamanua who oversees Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states also assures UNICEF support toward achieving child birth registration exercise.

Speaking as guest of honour, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi Adare, assured that the e-birth registration of children under five years will provide governments at all levels the opportunity to design programmes and policies that will ensure children benefit from government interventions.

ALGON continues to champion innovation, digital governance, and inclusive service delivery for the benefit of every Nigerian child.

“The trainees, when they return to their various local government areas, will also train others. That will ensure appropriate representation and that they do the necessary job as required,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the Sultanate Council and District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, said traditional rulers are the gatekeepers and custodians of tradition, bridging the gap between the community, government and the commission. He assured that no child should be left out.

He further stated that e-birth registration is a fundamental human right and every citizen has the right to be registered.

In their separate remarks, the Deputy Director, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, NPC Abuja, Mrs. Obodu Adaku, and the representative of the National Project Coordinator for e-Birth Registration, also addressed participants.

The ALGON National Project Coordinator on e-Birth Registration, Ms. Latifah Aspitah Isah, the National Orientation Agency’s Alhaji Shuaibu Adamu.

The speakers assured their commitment to full support toward the successful implementation of the programme across the state.

The event was attended by the State Director of the Commission, Alhaji Sani Dogon Daji, former directors of the commission, local government controllers from the 23 local government areas, representatives of ALGON, among others.

Please follow and like us: