NPC warns that despite more than five million babies being born every year, only about 40 percent are officially registered, leaving millions without legal identity. Over 4,000 digital registration centres are already operational, with plans to expand to about 8,000 nationwide to reach underserved communities. UNICEF says universal birth registration is essential for protecting children and guaranteeing access to healthcare, education and other basic services. McCauley applauded Nigeria’s progress in expanding digital birth registration, noting that registration services are now available in more than 4,000 wards, including remote, hard-to-reach and humanitarian locations. Every registered child becomes more visible to the systems designed to serve and protect them”, she said.