By Victor Lewis
Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has described the proposed Compulsory Civil Registration Bill as very vital to a comprehensive National Development Planning for the country.
Dafinone who gave this indication during the public hearing on the bill organized by the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, noted that when passed into law, it will comprehensively cover registration of births, deaths, marriages, and other vital life events.
It would be recalled that the present National Civil Registration Law came into force in 1992. And it is due for a repeal and replaced under the ongoing legislative reform for the purpose of generating accurate and comprehensive population data that would help government at all levels to better plan for healthcare, education, security, and social welfare programmes.
Speaking during the public hearing, Senator Dafinone stressed that the proposed Compulsory Civil Registration Act, 2025 will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s civil registration framework and support effective national planning, adding that the old law would be replaced with a comprehensive and fully electronic system for registering births, deaths, marriages, and other vital life events.
Dafinone who is a member of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, stressed that the proposed reforms are aimed at improving data accuracy, strengthening the collection of vital statistics, and providing reliable data to guide national development planning and policymaking.
The public hearing attracted stakeholders from different sections of the society, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Population Commission (NPC), the Ministry of Public Health, and other relevant agencies.
Areas of concentration among the Committee members and other stakeholders include proposed amendments, and practical recommendations designed to enhance the bill and ensure its smooth and effective implementation nationwide.
The committee is chaired by Senator Victor Umeh. The engagement brought together lawmakers, government agencies, and sector experts to deliberate on the scope and impact of the proposed legislation.
It was resolved at the end of the hearing that the new Compulsory Civil Registration Act, 2025 would lay the foundation for a modern, inclusive, and efficient civil registration system that works for every Nigerian.
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