The Federal Government will soon inaugurate a new National Addressing System Council in a bid to drive Nigeria’s agenda on planning, economic/financial inclusion and national security.
The Council, as well as technical committee, are to be inaugurated next year, according to a statement issued by Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s office on Thursday after a pre-meeting of the Council which he chairs at the State House, Abuja.
Underscoring the need for the immediate standardisation of Nigeria’s addressing system, Shettima described the move as essential for improving basic navigation, service delivery, enhancing urban planning, and driving economic growth; thereby ending decades of infrastructural deficits and creating a systematic approach to national address mapping.
He said: “We cannot solve the challenges of urban planning, service delivery, or even basic navigation unless we establish a system that creates order. A robust addressing system is not just about convenience; it is about national development, security, and socio-economic progress.
“We live in cities where most houses are either haphazardly numbered or not numbered at all. This does more than complicate address mapping—it undermines trust in address verification, slows emergency responses, and excludes millions from financial services.”
The Vice President stressed that a standardised addressing system will enhance logistics, strengthen e-commerce, and foster trust in financial services and also enable accurate emergency response and disaster management, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.
He said: “The challenge before us is not about delegating responsibilities but about creating a synergy that cuts across federal, state, and local governments. Political will and technical expertise must work hand in hand to make this initiative a success”.
Two presentations from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) were made at the meeting.
The overview of the National Addressing System by NIPOST highlighted the work done by the current management, emphasising the need for harmonising the address database in Nigeria.
The NIPOST presentation focused more on harmonising the postcode with the national addressing system, deploying the latest technology, particularly geo-locating the physical addresses of Nigerians captured in the project.
Deji Elumoye
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