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FG Moves To Reset National Addressing Council
FG Moves To Reset National Addressing Council
*As VP Shettima demands urgent standardisation of nation’s addressing system to improve service delivery
By: Our Reporter
The federal government has taken critical steps to reinvigorate the National Addressing Council (NAC) in a bid to address challenges associated with the addressing system in Nigeria.
Accordingly, a new NAC and a technical committee is 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 decision was taken on Wednesday during a pre-meeting of the council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa.
Underscoring the need for the immediate standardisation of Nigeria’s addressing system, the Vice President described the move as essential for improving service delivery, enhancing urban planning, and driving economic growth.
Addressing 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.”
The Vice President 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.
VP Shettima praised 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.
He continued: “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.
“A standardised addressing system will enhance logistics, strengthen e-commerce, and foster trust in financial services. It will also enable accurate emergency response and disaster management, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.
“The challenge before us is not about delegating responsibilities but about creating a synergy that cuts across federal, state, and local governments. Political will and technical expertise must work hand in hand to make this initiative a success”.
The Vice President further explained that the meeting marked the beginning of a transformative journey towards a Nigeria defined by order, trust, and opportunity.
“We are not just solving logistical challenges; we are laying the foundation for a more organised, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. This is our collective responsibility, and we must see it through,” he added.
The VP’s charge at the meeting was followed by two presentations from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the focus of the meeting was to galvanize the federal government’s renewed efforts in driving economic and financial inclusion, among other targets.
He said leveraging opportunities in the National Addressing System would fast track government’s vision of attaining inclusivity and economic prosperity, especially for Nigerians in the rural areas.
The presentation by the National Identity Management Commission focused on enhancing the nation’s address verification system and building a critical infrastructure for the national addressing database project.
The overview of the National Addressing System by NIPOST highlighted the work done by the current management, emphasizing the need for harmonizing the address database in Nigeria.
The NIPOST presentation focused more on harmonizing the postcode with the national addressing system, deploying the latest technology, particularly geo-locating the physical addresses of Nigerians captured in the project.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; the Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote; Post Master General of the Federation/CEO, Engr. Omotola Odeyemi; representatives of Moniepoint, Konga and other stakeholders in the fintech, e-commerce and identity management sector.
FG Moves To Reset National Addressing Council
FG’s student loan scheme improving access to higher education -NOA DG
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government’s interest-free loan under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is reducing dropout amongst undergraduates in the country.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the NOA Director General, stated this in Gombe at a news conference on five thematic areas of the present administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Issa-Onilu spoke through Mr David Akoji, the Director Special Duties, NOA Headquarters, Abuja.
He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improving access to education at all levels and ensuring that “financial constraints do not prevent young Nigerians from pursuing higher learning.”
Issa-Onilu said NELFUND was established by the Tinubu administration to ensure that no Nigerian who qualified to go for tertiary education was prevented from doing so, as a result of inability to pay school fees.
According to him, funding which used to be the biggest challenge in accessing tertiary education is no longer a threat to undergraduates and students seeking higher education.
The director general said the administration of President Tinubu had disbursed N59 billion to over 600,000 students that have applied for NELFUND Student Loan.
The director general assured that the era of students leaving tertiary institutions without completing their degree as a result of financial constraints was over.
He stated that the initiative showed that the Tinubu-led administration was committed to improving the wellbeing and welfare of Nigerians by empowering young Nigerians with education and skills.
Issa-Onilu urged students in Gombe State who have financial challenges to embrace the initiative to ease the burden, stressing that the loan scheme “is available to all qualified Nigerians who are schooling in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
Speaking on the thematic areas Issa-Onilu said they include; Government Policies, Programmes and Activities, the Nigerian Identity Project and National Symbols, and flood mitigation.
He cited others as National Security Awareness towards achieving improved security consciousness in communities and National Values Re-orientation for Students of Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions against sign-out extreme practices.
He also announced plans by the federal government to support 150, 000 youths across Nigeria under the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), adding that N110 billion had been dedicated to implement the initiative.
The director general further expressed the commitment of Tinubu’s administration to impacting positively on the wellbeing of all Nigerians especially the poor and vulnerable households.
On government programmes, Issa-Onilu hinted that over 2 million households enrolled into the Social Safety Nets Expansion, had benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfer.
He said: “Trader Moni and Farmer Moni were introduced through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). These are interest-free loans of up to a maximum of N100,000 for trader moni, while, farmer moni up to N300,000.”
FG’s student loan scheme improving access to higher education -NOA DG
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forced have neutralised two suspected notorious bandits during a clearance operation in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola that the operation followed credible intelligence received on Tuesday at about 1:00 p.m.
The report indicated that a criminal gang led by one Senen Hemen, also known as Orpa, was sighted along the pipeline axis between Gbeji and Igbongom communities in Ukum.
According to the sources, security forces were promptly mobilised to the location, where the gang engaged the operatives in a gun duel.
During the exchange, Hemen and another gang member identified as Mzungweve Ichur, both from Igbongom, were shot dead, while others fled the scene with gunshot injuries.
The sources confirmed that the corpses of the two suspects had been recovered and deposited at a private mortuary in Gbeji, while a manhunt had been launched in the surrounding bushes to track the fleeing accomplices.
The sources assured residents that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid Ukum and adjoining areas of violent criminal gangs.
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a worshipper from a mosque in Gbonkan Village, Ipapo, Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
Sources said that the victim, identified as Amadu Usman, was kidnapped on Monday night while praying at the mosque alongside his elder brother, Adamu Usman.
The sources said seven armed men invaded the mosque at about 9 p.m. and whisked the victim away to an unknown destination.
The sources said that a joint team of security forces, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and local hunters had since launched a search-and-rescue operation, combing surrounding bushes to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
FG’s student loan scheme improving access to higher education -NOA DG
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
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