TECHDIGEST – The constant advancements in technology have altered every aspect of our daily life. To remain competitive and satisfy client demands, firms must make every effort to stay abreast of the newest and most promising advancements.

Postal service has greatly improved the level of customer service it offers because of technological advancements. In terms of technology development, the postal service has concentrated on two things: mail innovations and data analytics.

Experts in the postal sector concurred that these developments will continue to drive change within the sector. The Internet of Things, blockchain, and autonomous vehicles are further cutting-edge technologies that haven’t yet had a significant impact on postal service. Even though the postal service has just been researching and testing these technologies so far, with the rapid growth of the industry I believe their impact will grow over the next few years.

The importance of all postal services and international mail systems has not diminished as a result of the increased use of electronic technology. Office administrators have the assurance that the documents or packages have been properly delivered thanks to the postal service’s certified mail and delivery confirmations. To speed up the professional process, postage costs and delivery times can be calculated online.

The postal and parcel sector has seen a significant transformation as a result of the growth of e-commerce, particularly cross-border e-commerce. At every stage of the customer journey, operators are putting a strong emphasis on customer involvement.

A basic element of success in any industry, maintaining a consistent and high-quality experience throughout the buyer’s journey is no longer considered a competitive advantage. The distribution of mail and packages can also be automated.

Postal firms can use shipment tracking data to plan and strategically allocate space in their distribution centers. This information includes movement, location, and idle hours. Depending on the occupancy of distribution centers, shipments may be diverted, or letters and parcels may be better managed in distribution centers.

Customers’ interactions with digital services and businesses have influenced their expectations for postal and package delivery. Minimum wait times, maximum customization, almost immediate response times, and completely transparent procedures are all requirements from shippers and recipients.

Postal services must prioritize the protection of their core business to transform. To do this, they must improve operational excellence, create new revenue streams with creative service offerings, and give quality e-commerce and postal service experiences to boost customer loyalty and public demand for postal services.

Postal workers’ jobs are coming under more and more strain. Global e-retailers may be converting last-mile delivery, the carrier’s primary service offering, into a commodity with no added value and vulnerable to fierce competition.

However, technology is having an impact on Used in a variety of postal industry functions, primarily in sorting and delivering operations, assisting in enhancing the general customer experience.

Various types of technologies are enabling postal and package delivery services to improve efficiency and provide services with value added. This is especially true in the parcel delivery industry, where volume growth necessitates more sorting, capacity, quicker handling procedures, and differentiation in quality.

The Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) has improved postal services by utilizing renewable energy throughout the years by rolling out terminals. This evolution has resulted in a major improvement in electronic mail services.

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding technology-based delivery and self-service services was signed by NIPOST recently. Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, NIPOST, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, said a strong technology system must be put in place as an efficient engine of digital economy growth.

He said this is a fact that has been recognized by the driver of the national digital economy policy and strategy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami.

Although the Nigeria Postal Services is improved I believe for a better working system the postal and parcel services will need to completely rethink their last-mile delivery strategy and execution to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. They will put a lot of effort into either taking control of the customer relationship at the time of delivery or forming a partnership with those who do.

Fom Gyem writes from Wuye District Abuja

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TECHDIGEST- The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and the National Population Commission (NPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to adopt a modern and standardised Postcode that will assist security agencies in Nigeria in responding faster to emergencies, reducing banditry, kidnapping, internet scams, and other crimes.

Postmaster General, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja. According to him, the digitalized postcode will also make doing business easier and will foster an effective healthcare delivery system, among other things.

“The current effort is aimed at transitioning the system to a digital platform to create more efficiency and functionality,” he explained. Without a doubt, such an advanced addressing system will promote the proper operation of more than just the postal sector. It is a critical infrastructure for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which include poverty reduction, disease control, and the provision of basic services like water and electricity. It is still an important piece of national infrastructure, particularly in a developing country like ours where the lack of street names and property numbering makes it difficult to meet public and business expectations.

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“The relentless drive to use new technologies and latest digital solutions to manage operations more efficiently, at lower cost, increased productivity, and better service quality is a major challenge for managers, particularly in a large and complex networked industry that delivers a wide range of products and services.

“Key benefits of the postcode system include: improved mail sorting, delivery, and postal services; improved response to emergencies by security agencies, reducing crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and Internet scams.

Adewusi also stated that the collaboration between NIPOST and NPC has resulted in his organization’s participation in the updating of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) Enumeration Area Delineation (EAD), with the goal of gaining a better appreciation of the use of satellite imagery and maps to generate field data, which has proven useful in the Postcode’s further development.

Also speaking, NPC Chairman Mr. Nasir expressed the Commission’s support for the initiative and added that the data collected by the NPC over the years, will assist NIPOST in executing the new project.

“Today, Nigeria like many other African countries lacks a proper addressing system and the country loses out on its economic, social and many other salient advantages considering its population. This gap has to be bridged by creating the much needed state of the art delivery services to the general public within the country, as such the importance of this project cannot be overemphasized.

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TECHDIGEST – With data privacy and protection gaining prominence and recognition across the globe through its impact on digital economy, wealth creation and employability, it has become imperative for all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the country to ensure the full protection, privacy and confidentiality of all citizenry data under their purview.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner (NC) of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), made this known during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) office in Abuja.

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Speaking on the importance of data privacy and protection in a digital economy, Olatunji stated that the digitization of existing traditional processes which also affects individuals from birth to their deaths should be given utmost attention and priority considering its value.

“Now we are talking about digitizing all processes right from birth of individuals to their death which has laid credence to the fact that we have to adequately protect the kind of information and data we upload on the internet”, he noted.

According to the Bureau’s CEO, data subjects need to know how their data is been handled, processed and protected by data processors in a global digital economy worth over $11.5trillion.

The Data Security Officer of the country expressed the importance of data privacy and protection as a necessary element in the drive for a digital economy while emphatically stating that countries will not do businesses with other countries who don’t have privacy laws.

He then urged NIPOST which is a major data processor and controller considering the volume of data they process daily to develop robust privacy policy, organizational measures, technological measures and staff capacity building in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulations (NDPR).

“On your website, you need to emphasize more on your privacy policy which must be simple, effective and clearly displayed. We will also be building the capacities of your regional officers on data protection procedures since they are the frontliners who have direct interaction with people and their data”, he added.

While highlighting the need for NIPOST to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organization (DPCO) to put them through NDPR compliance measures, Olatunji averred that DPCOs have been instrumental in the traction gained in the implementation of the NDPR which has also helped in the growth of the Nation’s economy.

“We have licensed 103 DPCOs and an average DPCO employs nothing less than 10 people depending on their capacity and the number of clients they are dealing with. This has helped in job creation in the country with a total of over 8000 jobs created in the ecosystem”, he disclosed

Emphasizing further, the NC mentioned that DPCOs will take NIPOST through the compliance process on an annual basis and file their audit report with the Bureau which will be published subsequently on the Bureau’s website.

The published report according to Olatunji will lay credence to the fact that NIPOST has complied fully, taken the issue of data privacy seriously and demonstrate synergy amongst the agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

He then advised the management of NIPOST to ensure that all courier and logistics companies under them comply with data privacy in order to earn the trust of Nigerians.

“We are developing tool kits for different sectors in the country based on their peculiarities and will work with you to ensure that the provisions of the NDPR are not only complied with but seen as a culture”, Dr Olatunji concluded.

Reacting to the National Commissioner’s address, the NIPOST Postmaster General, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi commended the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) for recommending the appointment of Dr. Olatunji as the pioneer National Commissioner of the Bureau.

“Truth be told, Dr. Olatunji is a highly professional and cerebral technocrat who has adequately discharged all the assignments he has been entrusted to handle over the years and is a perfection description of a round peg in a round hole”, he asserted.

The PMG then applauded the Bureau for their unflinching and consistent efforts thus far in ensuring the protection of data in the country.

He disclosed that the corporation has been educating and sensitizing people on the role of posts in a digital economy considering the critical role they play in the movement of people’s goods, parcels, mails and financial services across the globe.

Stating that NIPOST is at the center of dealing with people’s information, Adewusi said they have a serious responsibility to protect people’s data within their domain and promised to work closely with the Bureau in achieving this.

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TECHDIGEST – The Postmaster-General of the Federation, Dr. Ismail Adewusi, has blamed the lack of capital vote in 28 years for the dilapidated state of offices of the Nigerian Postal Service across the country.

He said this on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

Last week, a Nigerian media personality, Bolanle Olukanle, shared photos of NIPOST office in Victoria Island on her Instastory, describing it as a “ghetto inside” due to the worn-out chairs and overflowing bins inside the office.

The postmaster-general, however, said that lack of adequate funding had been the primary reason for the poor state of NIPOST offices.

He said, “The reality is that NIPOST for 28 years has not benefitted from any capital budget of the Federal Government, and it is still running. Most of the facilities we have require an upgrade from time to time, but it has been very difficult to get them renovated and top-notch for a long time.”

The NIPOST boss, however, said that the recent unbundling of NIPOST should lead to better facilities.

“We need to thank the President for unbundling NIPOST. Most of the facilities that you see that have been in a very bad shape will now be taken over by the new NIPOST Property Company, which would operate as a commercial entity and have the opportunity to raise capital to do massive renovation,” Adewusi said.

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TECHDIGEST – The Postmaster General of the Federation, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, on Tuesday reeled out steps taken by the agency to reposition itself in line with the modern global business realities since he assumed office two years ago.

Adewusi was named the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service on December 23, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking at an interactive session in Abuja on Tuesday, Adewusi said though the pandemic which struck few months into assumption of office almost stalled a comprehensive reforms package he came to NIPOST with, he explained that COVID-19 and its impacts however opened new world of possibilities which his administration did not waste time to leverage.

The Postmaster General said the pandemic rather hastened the process of digitalisation of the agency’s processes, adding that two years down the line, customers of NIPOST are seeing the changes, which have been brought to bear on its operations.

Adewusi, who expressed appreciation to President Buhari and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, for what he called their commitment to the advancement of digital economy, listed a number of initiatives NIPOST had explored to boost business and enhance operations.

He added that the achievements of the last two years could also not have been possible but for the cooperation enjoyed from the National Assembly through the Senate Committee on Communications and its House of Representatives counterparts.

He said the Chairman Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the House Committee Chairman, Hon Hakeem Adeyemi, played crucial roles in the successes recorded by NIPOST.

He said within the period in review, the African Development Bank partnered with his agency over its agricultural programme with a view to using its facilities.

He said: “The African Development Bank sought partnership with NIPOST to drive agricultural transformation in Africa’s economy with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative.

“The objective being to produce large stocks of marketable products using NIPOST’s warehousing, logistics and financial services.

“This initiative we, as an organisation, seek to explore to contribute to the economic development of the country while also expanding our revenue base.”

Towards more efficient service delivery, Adewusi said his agency has embarked on replacement of old infrastructure with new ones.

He cited the instances of new delivery trucks, refurbished postal outlets and acquisition of technology devices to enhance delivery.

He added: “The quantum leap in e-commerce necessitated drastic measures to cope with the surge in parcels/packet deliveries. NIPOST collaborated with a number of private transporters and logistics companies like Speedaf to ensure seamless deliveries.

“Recently, six additional new high tonnage trucks were acquired for e-commerce and logistics. This acquisition has greatly boosted the quality of service. Just as the collaboration with Speedaf Logistics Nigeria Limited led to the acquisition of 27 new 10, 20, and 30 tonnage trucks into our fleet.”

Revealing that under his watch, NIPOST has established the first digital centre in Enugu, Adewusi said the new face his administration is building for the agency will change the mindset of Nigerians on the ability of the agency to deliver world class services in logistics.

He said: “In last two years, some of our Post offices have been transformed into smart post offices.

“These include Eruwa, Awe, Omu-Aran, Gombe, Oshogbo, Ogbomoso, Ado Ekiti, Enugu Post offices.

“We want to transform the Post offices into hubs, a one-stop-shop, where citizens can access a number e-government services like applying for driver’s license, international passport, NIN registration, etc.

“This idea has become indispensable in new – normal world we live today.

“Also, the Nigerian Postal Service, under my supervision, has established its first digital center in Enugu, which includes computer-based training test (CBT) center, and other online transaction platforms.”

Expressing high hopes that the newly passed Postal (Repeal) Bill will further boost NIPOST business opportunities, the NIPOST boss said the Finance Act which has now conferred on the agency a role in stamp administration, the approval of new courier regulatory frameworks are all parts of the new developments which have substantially altered the way NIPOST does business.

He said: “I am very happy to inform you that today, we have a success story to tell, with the approval of a new courier regulation after 19 years.

“The last regulation was last reviewed in 2001.

“The new regulation empowers NIPOST to regulate the courier and logistics industry, checkmate the activities of logistics and courier companies in the country.

“The new regulations would sanitise the logistics ecosystem and put in check nefarious activities of the criminal-minded operators.

“Another milestone is the passage and signing of the amended Finance Act, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari to give NIPOST a role in the administration of Stamp Duty in Nigeria.

“It is gratifying for us to note that NIPOST (Repeal) Bill was passed by the Senate and House of the Representatives and it is awaiting assent by the President Muhammad Buhari GCFR.

“I am of great belief that the Bill, when signed, will reposition NIPOST for better service delivery.”

Adewusi also listed collaborations with agencies of the government such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency as part of efforts to ensure NIPOST plays crucial roles in national development and the battle against crime and drugs abuse.

He expressed optimism that things will further look up in the days ahead adding that a solid foundation has already been laid for better service delivery.

He said: “Giving the modest achievements we have recorded in the last two years of my administration, it is my candid belief that we are on the right track and determined to reposition NIPOST to an enviable height for effective service delivery to the citizenry.

“As we braced up to confront emerging challenges in the digital world, NIPOST is working assiduously to remain a veritable force to reckon with in the courier and logistics industry.”

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TECHDIGEST – Modern developments in the global postal industry show that technology plays a pivotal role in postal services. It acts as an enabler and a driver for better services for consumers. The future impact of emerging technologies and innovations portends more viable growth and positive benefits for postal services and consumers.

Digitalisation disrupted the postal sector by causing a growing decline in the volumes of physical mails and parcels. This is manifest in the continuous downward slide of revenue for postal services since the advent of digital technology.

But in the last three decades, the postal sector has begun evolving to remain functional and relevant, as the traditional economy transits into the digital economy, in which technology is the main driver. The sector recognises the imperative of digital technology as fundamental to all aspects of postal products offer and delivery.

It is responding to these challenges by steadily adopting innovative automation (the automated sorting of and centralisation of parcel and parcel operations) for enhanced productivity, diversification into the provision of data documents and digital services (boosting revenue-generating services), and creation of digital interfaces for seamless connection between customers and the delivery workers.

Automated sorting and centralisation of letter and parcel operations, automated scanning, and sequencing of letter deliveries to street level are important developments in the postal sector.

Driven by the disruptive impact of digital technology, competition, and customer demand, postal services are using advanced and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and to offer new products and services.

Those factors have triggered new waves of digital transformation in the postal industry, as many postal services are using innovative technologies like mobile internet and Global Positioning System (GPS), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chips, sensors, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

It is in recognition of the significant role of technological innovations in contemporary postal services that the Universal Postal Union (UPU) came out with the theme “Innovate to Recover” in celebration of this year’s World Post Day.

Nigeria joined other member countries of the global postal body to mark the 2021 World Post Day with an announcement by the Post Master General of the Federation, Ismail Adebayo Adewusi that the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is committed to leveraging technology in its service delivery as a service 2021 World Post Day operating in the digital economy.

Adewusi noted that NIPOST has an important role to play in the successful implementation of Nigeria’s digital economy, hence the need for the organisation to embrace technology, diversify its services and reposition itself for quality customer services, to boost revenue generation.

He said: “The global post has this year focused on ways and means of harnessing a better World with improving living standards for humanity after recovering from the clutches of the pandemic. It is a fact that the post is a fundamental instrument to the equality of all citizens. The Post Offices creates free entry and businesses to all ages, classes, races, and religions.

“It has become expeditious for us to operate at the same level wavelength with other internationally recognised service delivery companies.”

“With many postal administrations diversifying and expanding their operations to move sales of their products and services beyond borders, postal services are inventing new means and methods to satisfy the customers.”

From all indications, NIPOST is poised to reinvent itself by fully adopting digital technologies to drive its operations to achieve an optimal level of productivity and efficiency, through the provision of digital customer-centric products and services.

NIPOST has to take advantage of its offices/property spread across the country to provide e-government, e-commerce, and e-financial services to unserved/underserved and excluded populations such as women, the poor, the less educated, and those in the informal economy.

E-commerce stands at the forefront as the driver of innovation in the postal services because competition in the e-commerce market provides positive incentives for all market players, parcel carriers and retailers, and tends to spur the development of new delivery solutions.

To offer sustainable digital postal services, NIPOST needs to rely on its extensive physical network/assets by complementing post offices with digital services to expand its competitive edge and capacity to reach a large proportion of the population.

There is a need for the postal service to forge partnerships with private companies to be agile, share risks, and reduce financial burdens. Apart from offering hope for the postal sector, this agile approach is being used by postal corporations to balance their social impact and financial sustainability.

Government should provide NIPOST with sufficient financial resources to fund full digitalisation projects and deployment of services that meet international standards.

The government needs to recognise NIPOST as a critical part of regional and national digital strategies, especially because the NIPOST network across the country is a tool for advancing digital inclusion.

Considering assurances by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, that the unbundling programme of NIPOST is at the final stage, Nigerians are looking forward to seeing a postal service driven by technology and innovation to deliver quality service that is crucial to communities.

Inyene Ibanga is Managing Editor TechDigest and writes from Wuye District, Abuja.

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TECH DIGEST – The Postmaster General (PMG) of the federation, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, has assured consumers of postal services in local communities across the country that post offices have become veritable channels through which social, financial, economic and digital opportunities could be extended to them.

He reassured local communities of the overall impact of technology on consumers of postal services through the array of products and services that have been created by the recent unbundling of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) into three different companies, specialising in various core areas of services.

The Postmaster General said this at the weekend, while delivering a keynote address during the unveiling of Eredo Post Office in Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Eredo community, Ilara, Lagos State.

Adewusi who was represented by the Zonal Manager, NIPOST Lagos Zone, Mrs. Toyin Egbesola, said the unbundling of NIPOST into NIPOST Property and Development Company, NIPOST Transport and Logistics Company and NIPOST Microfinance Bank, would leverage technology to serve consumers of postal services in various communities across the country.

“With our array of products and services, the overall impact of technology on consumers of postal services cannot be over emphasised. The people of Eredo community will therefore in no distant future, begin to enjoy the dividend of post office in their community,” Adewusi said.

He urged the community to begin with the patronage of the post office by acquiring post office boxes (P.O. Boxes) and Private Mail Bags (PMBs) for organisations, as a first step to consolidating the partnership between NIPOST and Eredo community.

Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Adeniyi Rasaq Saliu, who performed the unveiling ceremony, commended the royal fathers and chiefs of Eredo LCDA for their support in ensuring the establishment of a post office in Eredo community.

“With the establishment of Eredo Post Office, the Local Council Development Area will become smarter in delivering services through work diversification that post offices, companies, banks, among others bring to the community.

“Having a post office is an act of development, the reason why my administration finds it fit to give NIPOST a piece of land to build post office for the community usage that will enhance development in the community,” Saliu said.

According to him, he would focus on several major developmental projects in order to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people at the third tier of government.

The Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Kayode Ogunsanwo, expressed excitement over the establishment of a post office in the community and encouraged NIPOST to offer diverse services to the community through the post office.

In her welcome address, the District Postal Manager, Epe District, Mrs. Anthonia Obot, thanked Eredo LCDA for their support and encouragement in erecting the post office building in the community. She called for more support from the community to enable the post office serve them better.

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