BIRTHS, DEATHS, ETC. (COMPULSORY REGISTRATION) ACT
Act · Health
An Act mandates the compulsory registration of births, deaths, stillbirths, and marriages across Nigeria. It targets parents, guardians, and health facility administrators to maintain a national registration system. This provides accurate population data and legal identities for all Nigerians.
BIRTHS, DEATHS, ETC. (COMPULSORY REGISTRATION) ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act making the registration of births, deaths, stillbirths, and marriages compulsory in Nigeria, providing for penalties for failure to register and for the establishment of a national registration system.
Who Does It Target?
Parents and guardians of newborns Hospital and health facility administrators National Population Commission (NPC) registrars All persons with duty to register vital events
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Ensure comprehensive registration of vital events in Nigeria to provide accurate population data, enable document authentication, and give every Nigerian a legal identity from birth.
Key Features
Compulsory Registration: Registration of births, deaths, and marriages is mandatory, not optional. Timelines: Births must be registered within 60 days; deaths within 3 days. National Registry: NPC maintains the National Register of births and deaths as the authoritative record. Penalties: Failure to register within the prescribed period attracts fines.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active — being strengthened through the CRVS system Coverage: Nationwide vital registration Beneficiaries: All Nigerians; population data; legal identity Funding: Federal Government; UNICEF and donor support
How to Access
Register births at the nearest NPC office or hospital registrar within 60 days Produce a hospital birth record or midwife delivery report Deaths must be registered before burial permits are issued in some states Application method: Register at National Population Commission offices or designated hospitals.
Important Terms
A birth certificate is necessary for school enrolment, passport, and NIN registration Late registration (after 60 days) requires a sworn affidavit NPC maintains the national database of registered births and deaths
Official Resources
Website: https://www.population.gov.ng Contact: National Population Commission (NPC)
Legal Framework
Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act (Cap B22 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the National Population Commission Act, the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007, and the Child Rights Act 2003. Aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 7 on birth registration) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.