The Federal Government has launched the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System to address missed and failed deliveries caused by poor addressing across Nigeria.
The system was launched on Thursday through the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), according to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Tijani said Nigeria loses an estimated N50 billion to N80 billion annually through missed and failed deliveries linked to poor addressing.
He explained that the problem also affects emergency response, security operations, financial services, businesses and government planning.
“For a country to work efficiently, we need to be able to answer one very basic question. Where?” the minister said.
Under the new system, every addressable building is assigned a unique 11-character alphanumeric postcode linked to its geographical location. The code is generated through five levels: state, local government area, district, area and building.
The postcode is attached to the building rather than its occupant, meaning it remains associated with the property even when the occupants change.
Tijani said the digital postcode is designed to complement conventional addresses by providing a standard location reference that can be used across different platforms.
The system is GIS-enabled and covers addressable buildings in urban and rural communities. It is expected to support logistics, e-commerce, emergency response, security, financial services and public planning.
NIPOST’s official platform allows Nigerians to search for, save and share their postcodes, while those whose buildings have not been captured can request a postcode.
Tijani urged Nigerians to find their postcodes and begin using them when sharing their locations with businesses, service providers, family members and others.
He linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.
“As we work towards H.E. President @officialABAT’s ambition for a $1 trillion economy, we must build the foundations that allow more Nigerians to participate, trade and prosper,” he said.