Katsina Governor Plans Mandatory Birth Certificates for Children

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has announced a significant policy change aimed at improving access to essential services for children. During the launch of an e-birth registration initiative on March 15, 2024, at the Continental Event Centre, Radda declared that children without birth certificates will soon be barred from receiving healthcare and education in the state.

The new regulation stipulates that birth certificates will become a mandatory requirement for accessing government services such as school admissions, healthcare, and employment. Radda emphasized the importance of birth registration, stating that it serves as the first legal acknowledgment of a child’s identity and is critical for obtaining education, healthcare, social protection, and civic participation.

“This is not just a systemic failure but a moral deficit we must correct,” Radda remarked, highlighting the plight of millions of Nigerian children who have grown up without formal recognition. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that every child in Katsina is registered at birth, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the state’s population data.

In his address, Radda noted that the new policy will encourage parents and guardians to register their children’s births. He stated, “Very soon, we are going to make the birth registration certificate a necessary requirement for children seeking school admission, healthcare, and even employment.”

To facilitate this initiative, the governor announced that wards and villages across the 34 local government areas of Katsina State will serve as permanent birth registration centers. This move aims to streamline the registration process and make it more accessible for families.

Radda’s administration has positioned birth registration as a crucial pillar of child protection and inclusive governance. By reinforcing the need for birth certificates, the governor hopes to create a more equitable system where all children have the opportunity to access necessary services and protections.

As this policy takes effect, it is expected to impact thousands of families in Katsina, addressing long-standing issues related to the lack of legal identity for children and promoting social equity in healthcare and education.