CRC\/C\/15\/Add.257<\/p>\n
Thirty-eighth session<\/p>\n
Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 44 of the Convention Concluding observations: Nigeria<\/p>\n
Birth registration<\/p>\n
36. While acknowledging the work of the National Population Commission and the African Refugee Commission whose mandate includes birth registration, the Committee is concerned that the alarmingly low rate of birth registration, in particular in rural areas, is a reflection of the generally low awareness among parents of the importance of birth registration and its consequences on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms by children, in particular, access to education and health, the right to know and be cared for by parents.\u00a0 The Committee also notes that the birth registration of children of foreign parents and refugee parents can be problematic.<\/p>\n
37. In the light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party to adopt a short-term as well as a long-term approach in its strengthened efforts to ensure the registration of all children at birth, including through the development of mobile registration units and increased outreach activities and awareness-raising campaigns for families, birth attendants and traditional leaders.\u00a0 The Committee further recommends that the State party ensures coordination between relevant ministries and institutions involved in birth registration processes, and provide necessary social infrastructure to facilitate birth registration in rural communities.\u00a0 Meanwhile, children who have no birth registration should be allowed to access basic services, such as health and education, while preparing to be registered properly.<\/p>\n