The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA has reaffirmed its commitment to championing digital identity and data integration as foundational pillars for effective national planning and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics CRVS Coordination Committee, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa stressed the urgency of digitising civil registration processes to support smarter, data-driven public administration.
Inuwa engaged key stakeholders including the National Population Commission NPC, National Identity Management Commission NIMC, and National Bureau of Statistics NBS, underscoring the alignment of CRVS reform with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This agenda prioritises digital public infrastructure, improved service delivery, and evidence-based policy-making.
The importance of civil registration and vital statistics cannot be overemphasised. It is foundational for making informed decisions across federal, state, and local levels of government, Inuwa noted.
He called for harmonised data systems across government institutions, warning that fragmented platforms continue to hinder effective planning and service delivery. According to him, technology can bridge these gapsfrom registering individuals at birth and assigning legal identities to linking that information to national planning and budgeting.
