The Federal Government has initiated plans to reinvigorate the National Addressing Council (NAC) to resolve challenges with Nigeria’s addressing system and enhance national development.
A new NAC and a technical committee are set to be inaugurated next year to advance the country’s agenda on urban planning, economic growth, and financial inclusion while creating an effective national addressing framework.
This decision was reached during a pre-meeting of the council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President emphasized the need to standardize Nigeria’s addressing system. He described it as critical for improving service delivery, enhancing urban planning, and stimulating economic growth.
“Without an orderly addressing system, urban planning, effective service delivery, and even basic navigation become unmanageable. This initiative is not merely about convenience; it is integral to national security, socio-economic progress, and inclusive development,” Shettima stated.
Highlighting the negative consequences of the current fragmented system, he noted its impact on governance, logistics, and the financial exclusion of millions of Nigerians.
“Many Nigerian cities have haphazard or non-existent address numbering. This hampers emergency response, logistics, address verification, and access to financial services,” he added.
Shettima commended the foundational work done seven years ago when the National Addressing System was introduced but called for actionable implementation beyond mere frameworks.
“This is not a vision to remain shelved indefinitely. A robust addressing system is foundational for Nigeria to realize its 21st-century economic aspirations,” he asserted.
The Vice President outlined the benefits of a standardized system, including strengthened e-commerce, accurate emergency response, improved logistics, and enhanced trust in financial services. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, coupled with political will and technical expertise.
“This marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward a more organized, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. It is our collective responsibility to see this through,” Shettima declared.
During the meeting, stakeholders received two key presentations from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
NIMC highlighted plans to enhance the nation’s address verification system and build critical infrastructure for a national addressing database. Meanwhile, NIPOST stressed harmonizing the postcode system with the national addressing database using advanced geo-location technology.
The meeting also featured remarks by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, who underscored the government’s renewed commitment to economic and financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; the Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote; the Post Master General of the Federation, Engr. Omotola Odeyemi; and representatives from Moniepoint, Konga, and other fintech and e-commerce stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to redefine Nigeria’s approach to addressing, ensuring inclusivity, order, and socio-economic progress.
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