Worried by inconsistencies in Nigeria’s addressing system, the Federal Government has initiated steps to reinvigorate the National Addressing Council (NAC).
The move will see to standardisation of housing addresses in a bid to improve service delivery.
To this end, a new NAC and a technical committee will 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 decision was adopted on Thursday during a pre-meeting of the council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa.
While underscoring the need for the immediate standardisation of Nigeria’s addressing system, the vice president said it is essential for improving service delivery, enhancing urban planning, and driving economic growth.
Talking to stakeholders at the meeting, the VP noted that standardising Nigeria’s addressing system is long overdue, adding that it will end decades of infrastructural deficits and create a systematic approach to national address mapping.
He said, “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 decried the consequences of the current disorganised system, noting its impact on governance, logistics, and the financial inclusion of many 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 lauded the foundational work done seven years ago when the National Addressing System initiative was introduced, noting, however, that there is a need to move beyond frameworks to actionable implementation.
Nigerian Govt moves to standardise national addressing system
