NIMC, NIPOST Integrate Identity, Digital Address Systems to Revolutionise Public Service Delivery

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) have launched a landmark initiative to integrate Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) database with the country’s digital postcode system, a move expected to significantly transform public service delivery, strengthen digital governance and accelerate economic inclusion.

The collaboration, unveiled in Abuja, will allow Nigerians to verify their addresses and retrieve official digital postcodes through the NINAuth platform, effectively linking verified identity with authenticated location information on a single trusted digital infrastructure.

The initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency of government interventions, improve emergency response, facilitate financial inclusion, strengthen logistics and e-commerce operations, and provide more accurate data for national planning.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the partnership as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation, saying it goes beyond inter-agency cooperation to establish the foundation for an integrated digital public infrastructure.

She disclosed that the recently enacted NIMC Act 2026 has significantly expanded the Commission’s mandate, making it the custodian of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for identity and the Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

According to her, the legislation provides the legal and technological framework for secure digital identity, electronic authentication, digital signatures and trusted online transactions across government and the private sector.

She, however, stressed that identity without location cannot deliver a fully digital economy.

“The National Identification Number tells us who a person is, while the National Postcode System tells us where that person can be reached. Bringing both together creates the trusted digital foundation required for efficient governance and inclusive economic development,” she said.

Coker-Odusote revealed that technical teams from both agencies had already completed the integration of postcode retrieval into the NINAuth platform, enabling citizens to seamlessly verify both their identity and address.

She noted that the integration aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda by promoting interoperability across public institutions and delivering faster, safer and more efficient services to Nigerians.

She also described NIPOST as a critical partner whose nationwide addressing infrastructure would help extend digital services to every part of the country.

The NIMC chief added that the initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by deepening digital innovation, improving public service delivery and expanding economic opportunities.

In her remarks, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Omotola Odeyemi, said the collaboration represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s foundational infrastructure.

She observed that every modern economy depends on two critical capabilities—knowing who people are and knowing where they are—and said integrating digital identity with a national postcode system would significantly improve governance, logistics, emergency response, commerce and access to government services.

Odeyemi said NIPOST is undergoing a major transformation from a traditional postal operator into a modern digital infrastructure institution that connects citizens, businesses and communities.

She identified the National Digital Postcode Initiative as one of the agency’s flagship reforms, noting that postal administrations around the world now play strategic roles in digital inclusion, e-commerce and national addressing systems.

According to her, NIPOST’s extensive nationwide presence and statutory mandate place it in a unique position to provide a reliable national addressing framework capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.

She assured Nigerians that the implementation of the integrated platform would comply with the highest standards of data protection, cybersecurity and institutional accountability.

The partnership comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to build a robust Digital Public Infrastructure that enables secure identity verification, seamless access to public services and greater efficiency across sectors, with digital identity and verified location increasingly recognised as critical pillars of modern governance and economic development.

NIMC, NIPOST Integrate Identity, Digital Address Systems to Revolutionise Public Service Delivery

Troops foil suspected terrorist supply chain, arrest Chadian woman with drugs in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have disrupted a suspected terrorist logistics network with the arrest of a Chadian woman allegedly transporting illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages to insurgents operating in the Lake Chad region.

The arrest was made by troops of Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North East during an intelligence-driven operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Capt. Mohammed Goni, the suspect was intercepted while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

He identified the suspect as Mrs Rachael Samuel, 48, a citizen of the Republic of Chad from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province.

“The operation followed actionable intelligence on suspected movements of logistics intended for terrorist elements within the Lake Chad Islands,” the statement said.

Items recovered from the suspect included seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.

The troops also recovered a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal belongings and cash from the suspect.

Military authorities said the suspect had been taken into custody, while the exhibits would be handed over to the relevant law enforcement agency for detailed investigation and prosecution.

The statement said the operation represented another breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle the supply networks sustaining terrorist groups in the North East.

It explained that intelligence reports had shown that terrorist fighters often relied on illicit drugs and intoxicants to enhance endurance, suppress fear and support their violent activities.

The Theatre Command praised the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, reiterating its commitment to intensifying operations against terrorists and those providing them with logistics and other forms of support.

It also appealed to residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the region.

Troops foil suspected terrorist supply chain, arrest Chadian woman with drugs in Borno

Army, NDLEA Arrest Three Suspected Drug Suppliers Linked to Terrorists in Katsina

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) have arrested three suspected drug peddlers allegedly supplying illicit substances to terrorists and other criminal elements in Katsina State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the joint operation was conducted at about 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi deployed at Kafur, alongside operatives of the NDLEA Area Command, Malumfashi.

The operation targeted Kagara village in Kafur Local Government Area, where the security team raided suspected drug distribution points.

According to the sources, three suspects identified as Mohammed Lawan, 34, Muhawiya Haruna, 40, and Junadata Usman, 40, were arrested during the operation.

Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, quantities of tramadol capsules, pregabalin, diazepam, Extol-5 tablets, rubber solution, and “Suck and Die” spirit.

The sources said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other intoxicating substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur and neighbouring communities.

The arrested suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, have been handed over to the NDLEA Area Command in Malumfashi for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt the logistics and supply networks supporting terrorism and other forms of criminality across Katsina State.

Army, NDLEA Arrest Three Suspected Drug Suppliers Linked to Terrorists in Katsina