As FG launches 2021 MICS, NICS report
60% of Nigerian children now registered at birth
The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) report, which demonstrates Nigeria’s slow improvement in child health indices, was released on Tuesday by the Federal Government.
The two documents, which offer trustworthy data that can be compared across the country and internationally to track the situation of women and children in Nigeria, showed that the percentage of women exclusively breastfeeding increased from 24% to 34%, and that nearly 60% of children in Nigeria are now registered with civil authorities at birth.
Child mortality decreased from 1 in 8 children dying before their fifth birthday (MICS 2016) to 1 in 10 children, according to the MICS results released by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (MICS 2021).
The report also notes significant improvements in rates of exclusive breastfeeding, birth registration, and child marriage (women who marry before turning 18), which has decreased from 44% to 30% since 2016.
Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federation’s Statistician-General, commented on the report: “The 2021 Nigeria MICS-NICS report provides evidence-based data for all key stakeholders to prioritize quality services for children and women with higher efficiency and effectiveness.
The gathered data will help identify disparities, guide policies aimed at social inclusion of the most vulnerable population, and enable cross-national comparison.
According to Adeniran, the MICS-NICS survey provides evidence to shape interventions and focus resources in a way that helps children and their families achieve their full potential as the nation works to recover better from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If we are to leave no one behind, it is essential that we use the data to track our collective commitments to children and families, as well as to guide future action.
Peter Hawkins, a representative for UNICEF, stated that information is essential for efficient budgeting and decision-making, and that the results of these surveys collectively provide a picture of the situation facing children and families in Nigeria.
“The picture is a mixed one,” said Hawkins. Even though there has been some good progress, which is something to celebrate, there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of children in Nigeria.
The survey’s results will serve as a roadmap for the federal and state governments as they prepare their budgets by demonstrating where more assistance and resources should be wisely allocated and used.
UNICEF created the MICS, a household survey, to help nations fill data gaps for tracking human development indicators in general and the situation of women and children in particular.
With 28 indicators in the first round in 1999 and 200 in the current sixth, it has changed over time to adapt to shifting data needs.
MICS, which provides information on child mortality, health, nutrition, education, child and social protection, women’s health care and empowerment, water, sanitation, and hygiene, was implemented by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). NICS evaluates the vaccination coverage offered by the healthcare systems concurrently.
Social transfer, household energy use, child functioning, and basic academic skills are examples of newly produced indicators.
The survey tracks the government’s progress in achieving the SDGs and its commitments to the nation as a whole.
