UNICEF: Unregistered Children Risk Losing Access to Education, Healthcare, Social Protection

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that children without birth registration in Nigeria could face challenges accessing education, healthcare, and social protection, which could impact their adult lives. This was disclosed by Celine Lafoucriere, the Chief of Field Office, Lagos, during a media dialogue on birth registration organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF.

Lafoucriere emphasized that birth registration is a foundational right of every child and essential for accessing vital services throughout life. Approximately 3.5 million children in Nigeria remain unregistered, leading to their exclusion from government planning, social protection programmes, and budgeting. UNICEF is collaborating with the Nigerian government to improve the social register and promote universal birth registration to ensure that every child is accounted for and can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Journalists are urged to raise awareness about the importance of birth registration, especially among vulnerable families and communities where misconceptions persist.