The Federal Government has moved to establish a modern digital national addressing system after the National Addressing Council (NAC) ratified a preliminary framework for coordinating implementation across key public institutions.
The decision was reached during a meeting of the Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Monday, according to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications.
Under the framework, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will serve as the Council’s secretariat and coordinate implementation, technical execution and collaboration among participating agencies.
Shettima said the initiative aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed to create an addressing system capable of supporting economic activity, public service delivery, security and national planning.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, our duty is to build institutions that match the energy and mobility of our people. We must build a system that can locate every community, support enterprise without barriers and strengthen government without compromising privacy,” he said.
“Wherever a citizen lives, wherever a business operates, wherever help is required, Nigeria should find the address.”
The Vice President described an effective addressing system as an important link between citizens, businesses and government institutions, noting that difficulties in accurately locating people and businesses affect planning, commerce, security and social intervention programmes.
He said the proposed digital framework must also integrate with identity management systems, government databases and other digital public infrastructure.
“When a verified identity can be linked securely to a verified address, the gains extend across financial inclusion, social interventions, logistics, planning and emergency response,” Shettima said.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will coordinate technical execution, interoperability standards and systems integration.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will oversee identity verification and authentication, while the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) will support business address verification.
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) will be responsible for postcode administration and postal infrastructure.
State governments and local government councils, working through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), will support implementation at the community level.
Other agencies expected to participate include the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and private-sector operators.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the initiative could also improve investor confidence by strengthening address verification and location-based services across Nigeria.
