Federal Executive Council (FEC) has greenlit a GIS-enabled alphanumeric digital postcode system to modernise Nigeria’s national addressing framework.
Bosun Tijani, New Minister of Communication and Digital Economy
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the approval in a Tuesday post on X, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and alignment with the ministry’s strategic blueprint.
The system, developed with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) under Postmaster General Tola Odeyemi, introduces geospatially intelligent addresses for nationwide accuracy, faster mail/parcel processing, and broader enablers like planning, emergency response, logistics, e-commerce, and government services.
“Foundational digital addressing is critical as Nigeria’s digital economy grows, connecting people, businesses, and services efficiently,” Tijani stated. “This builds an enabling environment for a modern, inclusive, globally competitive digital economy.”
Nigeria’s decades-old six-digit numeric system (e.g., 100001 for Lagos Island) has limitations, especially in unmapped informal areas hindering logistics and e-commerce. The new alphanumeric codes assign precise digital locations to properties, boosting efficiency amid rapid digital expansion.
NIPOST’s modernisation efforts underpin this: last year, it revived IMTO/Super Agent licenses for remittances and financial inclusion; partnered with Paystack, Messenger, and Sendbox for digital parcel payments with tracking and door-to-door delivery; and updated US-bound parcels to require $80 (or Naira equivalent) prepaid customs duty.
