Nigerian Government has promised to collaborate with the States, Local governments and stakeholders to address the issue of insecurity in Nigeria through the Proof of Address System.
The government said it is activating a system that will be implemented across all 774 Local Governments to provide every resident with a verifiable and secure address while serving as an essential tool for administrative processes in both the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the South West stakeholders sensitisation meeting for the initiative, held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, the Secretary to the government of the federation, Mr George Akume said that the initiative is a step toward strengthening governance, enhancing security, and improving efficient service delivery at the grassroots level.
Akume who was represented by a Director in the Office, Mrs Helen Gapriya said the idea underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to tackling the nation’s key challenges while laying the foundation for a safer and prosperous nation.
“Our nation’s inability to fully identify addresses and provide accurate data has compounded many problems, making it difficult to combat criminal activities, secure communities, and plan effectively for development during budget planning. In the light of these challenges, the introduction of the Proof of Address system is not just timely but necessary for the strengthening. of our national identity management infrastructure.
“This initiative will strengthen national security, improve government planning, and foster a more orderly society. Besides, by enabling accurate identification and location verification, it will help curb various societal vices, contributing to a safer and more structured environment for all
“The Local Government Proof of Address System is a critical component of our efforts to strengthen the capacity of local governments to deliver essential services to our citizens and reduce the need for physical documents and unnecessary of these efforts, and we’re pleased to share the outcomes with you.” he said
He said series of meetings have been held in the past, while the sensitisation of the southwest zone marks the launch of a nationwide campaign which will cover the remaining zones in the coming days.
National Security
In his remark, the National Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Mr Bello Lawal, who was represented by ALGON Secretary Lagos State chapter, Mr Razak Ajala, said the initiative was designed to boost national security, facilitate financial inclusion and support economic growth.
Lawal said that ALGON recognised the importance of a structured address system and initiated the project as a valuable derivative of the local government’s constitutional mandate, particularly in street naming and building numbering within its respective jurisdictions.
Lawal said “the Proof of Address System is not just another bureaucratic exercise; it is an integral part of the civil registration and vital statistics ecosystem. It serves as a crucial pillar in national and global data infrastructure, contributing meaningfully to our developmental goals. By providing verifiable proof of residence, the POA will support effective planning, financial inclusion, and overall economic growth.”
Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo and her Ekiti state counterpart, Profesdor Abibat Adubiaro emphasised the need for a seamless process in other to capture more citizens into the net.
Other participating states at the event acknowledged that the system will foster economic development and improve revenue base of local governments in the country, while emphasising on the need to work in synergy with all technical partners and ensure seamless process across the nation.
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