The Federal Government is set to revamp Nigeria’s addressing system, with plans to reinvigorate the National Addressing Council (NAC) and establish a technical committee to advance national planning, economic development, and financial inclusion.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, this decision was taken during a pre-meeting of the NAC held at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
“Accordingly, a new NAC and a technical committee are to be inaugurated next year to drive the country’s agenda on planning, economic, and financial inclusion, as well as ensuring an effective national addressing system,” the statement read in part.
At the meeting, Vice President Kashim Shettima was said to have emphasized the importance of a standardized national addressing system, describing it as essential for improving service delivery, strengthening urban planning, and fostering economic growth.
Speaking to stakeholders, VP Shettima highlighted the need for a systematic approach to address decades of infrastructural deficits and inefficient address mapping.
“We cannot solve the challenges of urban planning, service delivery, or even basic navigation unless we establish a system that creates order.
“A robust addressing system is not just about convenience; it is about national development, security, and socio-economic progress,” he said.
He noted that the current disorganized addressing system hampers governance, logistics, and financial inclusion for millions of Nigerians.
“We live in cities where most houses are either haphazardly numbered or not numbered at all. This does more than complicate address mapping—it undermines trust in address verification, slows emergency responses, and excludes millions from financial services,” he explained.
The Vice President acknowledged the foundational work laid seven years ago when the National Addressing System initiative was first introduced.
He, however, stressed the need to move from frameworks to actionable implementation.
“This was not a vision to be left in dusty drawers or delayed indefinitely. Addressing is fundamental to our aspirations of becoming a 21st-century economy,” VP Shettima stated.
The meeting featured presentations from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
The National Addressing Council was inaugurated in September 2017 by former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo.
The Council was mandated to “make guidelines and provide strategic direction for the National Addressing System” and to “ensure that the Policy is revised as at when due, to align with the new technologies, Policy objectives, and socio-economic realities.”
The Council, has, however, gone comatose since the end of the past administration.
The Council, has, however, gone comatose since the end of the past administration.