Postcode initiative will aid Ekiti’s emergence as digital hub — Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the digital postcode project, saying it will promote innovation and position the state as a digital economic hub.

Oyebanji commended the Nigerian Postal Service for its vision and for selecting Ekiti as a pioneer pilot state for the Digital Alphanumeric Postcode Project, saying the state stood to benefit significantly from the initiative.

The governor, according to a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Monday, spoke during a two-day stakeholder engagement and inception workshop on the macro ground-truthing of the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode and Statewide Enterprise Addressing Management System.

The workshop had the theme, “Building Nigeria’s Digital Addressing Future – Starting with Ekiti State”.

Organised by NIPOST and the Ekiti State Geospatial Data Centre, the programme was attended by traditional rulers, local government representatives, ministries, departments and agencies, technical partners and community representatives.

Represented by the programme’s focal person, Olusanmi Akintobi, Oyebanji said the initiative was designed to address deficiencies in Nigeria’s existing postcode system, which he said was not functional, with consequences for emergency services, businesses and infrastructure distribution.

He said, “With the existing postcode, businesses cannot target customers or optimise logistics; government cannot map poverty, plan infrastructure, or deliver services efficiently; residents cannot receive mail, access ecommerce, or prove their address for formal purposes.

“The Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System approved by the Federal Executive Council changes this narrative. It creates a unique, machine-readable, and human-usable code for every street, building, and settlement – down to the Basic Spatial Unit of approximately 15 to 20 addresses.

“Let me state this without ambiguity: Ekiti State is fully committed to this project. We have provided the political will, institutional support and enabling environment. We have invested in the Ekiti State Geospatial Data Centre – a centre of excellence that is now a model for other states.

“We have enacted the necessary governance frameworks to ensure data sharing, stakeholder engagement and legal compliance. We have designated this project as a priority flagship under our digital economy and land administration reform agenda.”

The governor listed the potential benefits to include improved emergency response and public safety, better tax administration and revenue generation, urban and regional planning, and geomarketing and private sector growth.

On social protection and poverty mapping, he said the system could help identify underserved communities, target welfare programmes and measure progress more accurately.

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He added, “In the area of electoral logistics and good governance, accurate addresses mean accurate voter registration, efficient polling unit logistics, and improved electoral integrity. This is democracy in practice.

“On digital economy and innovation, from e-commerce to ride-hailing, from fintech to health tech, every digital service needs an address. Digital postcodes will unlock innovation and position Ekiti as a digital economy hub in Nigeria.”

Earlier, the Postmaster-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Tola Odeyemi, described the initiative as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Odeyemi, who was represented by Abdulwakil Jamiu, described the project as “a revolutionary infrastructure that will redefine how Nigerians live, work and access essential services”.

She said Ekiti was selected as a pioneer state because of its reputation for educational advancement, intellectual development and progressive governance.

Odeyemi identified improved security, emergency response, e-commerce, logistics, revenue administration and financial inclusion as some of the initiative’s expected benefits.

She urged federal, state and local government stakeholders, traditional rulers, private sector operators and technology innovators to support the validation of address data to ensure that no building or resident was excluded.

The Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Bureau of Lands, Kayode Ojo, said the state’s collaboration with NIPOST began in December 2025, when the Ekiti State Geospatial Data Centre expressed interest in partnering with the postal service.

Ojo said the two-day workshop would present the project’s roadmap, methodology, timeline and expected outcomes, while validating the pilot scope and clarifying stakeholders’ responsibilities.

He said, “It will also address data access, street naming and community engagement, formalise implementation committees and agree on a work schedule. Expected outputs include a draft Memorandum of Understanding, work plan and budget, communication protocol, field checklist, operational workflow and escalation procedures.”

The workshop is also expected to help participants understand local challenges and establish immediate priorities ahead of field operations.