The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to implement the Proof of Address (POA) System across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, as part of its broader strategy to improve governance, enhance security, and streamline service delivery.
The POA initiative, which is anchored on verifiable street names and house numbers linked to a centralized national address database, will serve as a key infrastructure for both public and private sector operations.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made this known at the Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Programme for Northern Geopolitical Zones, organized in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, FNAIE, Akume noted that the campaign aims to sensitize grassroots stakeholders on the operationalization of the Local Government Proof of Address System.
He emphasized that the initiative is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and reflects his administration’s unwavering commitment to building a safer, more efficient, and inclusive Nigeria.
“This POA System marks a significant step in our journey to strengthen local governance, support financial inclusion, and facilitate the delivery of key services such as voter cards, national identity numbers (NINs), passports, and utility bills,” he said.
In his remarks, ALGON National President, Mr. Bello Lawal, represented by former Chairman of Karu LGA, Simon Akala, stressed the role of the POA in bridging the infrastructural gap in identity verification and national planning.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community influencers, civil society organizations, and local government officials to support the rollout of the address system nationwide.
On his part, the Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Adeyemi, represented by Mrs. Rose Ismaila, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing a Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System.
He explained that NIPOST is working closely with ALGON to align street name datasets with postcode structures to ensure every building in Nigeria has a digitally verifiable address.
The nationwide Proof of Address initiative is expected to significantly boost national security, reduce fraud, and improve delivery of government and commercial services, ultimately creating a more organized and accountable society.
