In a move set to revolutionize Nigeria’s logistics and digital economy, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has officially approved the implementation of a Geographic Information System (GIS)-enabled Alphanumeric Digital Postcode System.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, following the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The project, which has been in the works for nearly 17 years, marks a shift from the outdated numeric system of the 1980s to a modern, geospatial intelligence framework.
The new system replaces the old six-digit postal codes with a unique combination of letters and numbers tied to precise geographic coordinates. Unlike the previous framework, which often relied on broad districts and landmarks, the alphanumeric system provides pinpoint accuracy for every property in Nigeria, even in areas without formal street names.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that the initiative is a core component of the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint aimed at Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency.
Developed in collaboration with the Postmaster General, Tola Odeyemi, and her team at NIPOST, the system is expected to deliver several key benefits. It will enhance logistics and e-commerce by providing machine-readable data for automated sorting and routing, which will drastically reduce failed deliveries.
The system will also aid national planning by providing the government with accurate location data for infrastructure development and resource distribution. Furthermore, it will improve emergency response by enabling fire, police, and medical services to locate addresses with precision, particularly in informal settlements. Finally, the initiative will promote financial inclusion by simplifying the KYC (Know Your Customer) process for banks and fintechs, allowing for faster and more secure onboarding.
“As our digital economy continues to grow, foundational systems such as this play an essential role in building the infrastructure required to connect people, businesses, and services more efficiently,” Dr. Tijani stated.
He further described the approval as a critical step in making Nigeria “globally competitive.”
The move follows recent modernization efforts at NIPOST, including the revival of its International Money Transfer and Super-Agent licenses, as the agency pivots toward becoming a digital-first, revenue-driven institution.