Nigeria Civil Registration

Africa Nigeria

Civil registration
Research use: A primary source for vital events.

Record type: Births, marriages, and deaths for British and native Nigerians.

Time period: 1914 to present.

Contents: Birth – name, date of birth, parents, father’s occupation and residence, sometimes age of mother; names of witnesses and their residences, occupations, and sometimes relationships. Marriage – names of bride and groom, residence and date of marriage, sometimes ages and names of parents or sponsors. Death – name, date of death and burial, age, residence at the time of death, occupation, cause of death.

Location: National Archives; regional archives, and the National Archives, London.

Population coverage: Up to 65% of the British,35% of the Nigerians, both before 1930. After 1930, approximate 80% of the British, and 60% of the Nigerians.

Reliability: Excellent.