Trends in completeness and determinants of birth registration in Nigeria

Background: Birth registration is a fundamental human right and a key component of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, which aims to provide legal identity for all by 2030. In Nigeria, birth registration is essential for safeguarding children's rights, including access to education, healthcare, and social services. Despite its importance, birth registration rates remain low, with significant disparities across different regions and population groups.Objective: This study aims to analyze trends in birth registration and explore the determinants of birth registration in Nigeria during 2021, utilizing the latest data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS).Methods: The study employs a descriptive analysis of birth registration completeness by birth cohort from 2017 to 2021, disaggregated by demographic, socio-economic, and geographic factors. Statistical methods, including one-way ANOVA and the 2-level logistic regression models, are used to identify significant differences and determinants of birth registration.Results: The overall birth registration completeness among children born from 2017 to 2021 was 57.31%, with a decreasing trend over time, particularly in the 2021 cohort. Significant differences in registration completeness were observed across demographic factors (child’s sex and household head’s ethnicity), socio-economic factors (mother’s education, household head’s education, household wealth), and geographic factors (residence and region). Higher education levels of mothers and household heads, higher household wealth, urban residence, and certain ethnic backgrounds were associated with higher birth registration rates. The use of maternal services and place of childbirth were also found to be important, though data limitations precluded their inclusion in the main analysis.Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to address delays and disparities in birth registration in Nigeria. Enhancing educational attainment, economic stability, and access to healthcare and registration services, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, is crucial for improving birth registration rates and ensuring all children are legally recognized.