The Nigeria Population Commission (NPC) has recorded a total of 424,302 births in Gombe State from January to November. Adedeji Adeniyi, the head of NPC’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Gombe State, disclosed that 44.13% (187,283) of the registered births were girls, while 55.86% (237,019) were boys.

The registrations, conducted across more than 100 registration centers, encompassed children aged 0 to 17 years. Of the total figure, 76,900 were children below the age of one year, with 43,140 boys and 33,760 girls. Furthermore, 285,010 children were aged between one and four years, comprising 125,230 girls and 159,780 boys. Lastly, 62,392 children fell within the four to 17 years age bracket, with 28,293 girls and 34,099 boys.

Adeniyi emphasized the NPC’s commitment to increasing birth registration and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders in the state. The transition from manual to digital birth registration, facilitated by a collaboration with UNICEF, has significantly streamlined the process. This modern approach aims to encourage more residents to register their births, recognizing the importance of data for governmental planning and intervention.

Underlining the significance of birth registration, Adeniyi stressed that it grants children identity, nationality, and access to essential social amenities. He also expressed concern over the inadequate registration of deaths in the state, urging residents to register such events as it provides crucial insights for government planning and decision-making. Notably, registering deaths offers insights into prevalent causes of mortality, thus facilitating informed policy planning and implementation.