Nigerians have started finding and sharing their new digital postcodes following the launch of the Federal Government’s National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, with early users reporting both accurate locations and problems identifying their buildings.
The system, launched nationwide through the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) on October 1, uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to provide an 11-character alphanumeric postcode for addressable buildings and locations across Nigeria.
A quick check by Nairametrics showed that Nigerians have had mixed experiences while testing the system, with some sharing their findings on X.
Bolaji Fesomade, a business strategist and investment analyst who posts on X as @MasterBolaji, said the system accurately identified his location after he entered his street.
Another user, Asiwaju Oladimeji, a PhD student who posts as @AsiwajuOladimej, said he had successfully checked the postcode of his house and found the process straightforward.
Noah Sulaimon, a pastor and founder of First Assured, a business compliance access platform, also said he had checked his postcode.
Dr. Calafiori, a medical doctor who posts as @fimiletoks, similarly said his postcode accurately identified his location.
Other Nigerians testing the system reported difficulties with the information returned for their locations.
Bishop Adamu-Chitumu, who posts on X as @BishopOneMagic, said the postcode assigned to his home appeared to be the same as the one assigned to a neighbouring house.
Another user, David Stephen, posting as @davestrokes, said his actual house did not appear when he tried to find his postcode.
A user identified as Only Good News, posting as @Paytriort, said the system did not yet return a postcode for his location in Oyo.
After some users reported having problems, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, responded.
He advised users to ensure their phones’ location services are enabled before searching for their postcode.
NIPOST’s official guidance says users can allow access to their current location to help find the postcode of the building where they are.
To find their postcode, NIPOST says users can use the National Digital Postcode website or app, select “Find My Postcode,” allow location access and select their building on the map.
The postcode is then displayed for the selected building.
The agency advises users to confirm that they have selected the correct building because neighbouring buildings can have different building-level postcodes.
The new postcode is assigned to a specific addressable building, rather than to an individual. NIPOST describes it as a unique 11-character code for identifying an addressable building and its location.
NIPOST allows users to report incorrect information linked to a postcode and request that it be corrected.
The agency says users can suggest changes to details such as the address, structure type, building use, ownership and photographs associated with a location.
To make a correction, users can search for their postcode in the app, open the postcode details and tap Edit. They can then select the information that needs to be changed, enter the correct details and submit the request for review.
NIPOST says the correction can be completed within 48 hours.
