By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), led by the Honourable Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has officially flagged off a comprehensive social mobilization exercise to overhaul birth registration across the territory’s grassroots.
The initiative, which aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks to ensure that every child born within the FCT is officially documented, providing them with a legal identity and a foundation for a more secure future.
To tackle the historically low levels of birth registration in the FCT, the Women Affairs Secretariat is collaborating with a powerhouse of domestic and international partners, including:UNICEF Nigeria,National Population Commission (NPC),National Identity Management Commission (NIMC),National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).
Speaking at the launch held at the Palace of the Ona of Abaji, the Mandate Secretary for the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, emphasized the urgency of reaching remote areas.
Represented by the Director of the Child Development Department, Dr. Idris Yahaya Attah, the Mandate Secretary noted that a significant number of children are born outside formal hospital settings.
”These children need to be properly captured and documented as citizens of the FCT and Nigeria.
“Accurate data is the backbone of effective planning and development.
“We urge the communities in Abaji and beyond to cooperate fully so they can benefit from the dividends of democracy”, Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi stated.
Supporting this sentiment, Mrs. Phydelia Abbas, representing UNICEF Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in the documentation process.
According to a statement from Josie Mudasiru Deputy Director, Information, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, the registration exercise is free of charge for children in two categories: infants (0–1 year) and children (1–5 years).
It disclosed that the FCTA has released a phased schedule to ensure total coverage of all Area Councils: Abaji March 26 (Completed),Bwari March 30 (Upcoming),Kwali April 8 (Upcoming),Gwagwalada April 9 (Upcoming),Kuje April 10 (Upcoming), and AMAC April 13 (Final Phase).
The statement said the exercise will culminate in a grand press briefing on April 13, 2026, held either at the Office of the Mandate Secretary or the Place of the Chief of Garki.
It added that community members and parents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this window to secure their children’s legal status.
