Seven states adopt Proof of Address system to boost services, security

The governments of Oyo, Rivers, Bauchi, Yobe, Cross River, Bayelsa and Sokoto states have formally adopted the Proof of Address (PoA) system for statewide documentation, marking a major step toward establishing a unified and verifiable address framework in Nigeria.

With the adoption, the governors of the seven states have signed on to a data-driven identification system that ensures the proper documentation of residents and businesses. The initiative, being implemented for the first time on a national scale, is expected to significantly improve access to essential services, strengthen security, and enhance governance.

The development represents a major boost to the Local Government Proof of Address policy approved by Federal Government which seeks to replace Nigeria’s long-standing reliance on informal and non-standard address descriptions with a credible, standardised system that can be uniformly verified across the country.

Under the framework, a standardised proof of address becomes a foundational element of identity verification, enabling residents to access critical services such as electricity, water, internet connectivity, healthcare, insurance, and mobile phone services. It also strengthens financial inclusion by supporting Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements needed to open bank accounts, access credit, carry out secure transactions, and participate fully in the formal financial system.

The PoA initiative is also expected to improve compliance with government and legal requirements, including voter registration, issuance of official documents, employment verification, and school enrolment. By linking individuals and businesses to verifiable locations, the system adds a crucial layer of protection against fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes, while supporting more efficient logistics, e-commerce, emergency response, and service delivery.

The project is supervised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which provides overall policy direction and coordination, and issues directives mandating the adoption of PoA across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as sub-national governments. The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) serves as the federal coordinating agency and operational backbone, leveraging its nationwide infrastructure to standardise addresses, conduct physical address verification, and manage address data in line with national standards.

At the grassroots level, the 774 Local Governments of Nigeria enacts bye-laws  to administer and  mobilise residents in the communities with robust sensitisation to ensure effective implementation across board

With Oyo, Rivers, Bauchi, Yobe, Cross River, Bayelsa and Sokoto states already on board, the Proof of Address initiative is gaining momentum as a foundational national reform aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing security, and supporting sustainable economic growth, while positioning Nigeria closer to a unified, reliable and verifiable national address system.