NIPOST Launches Digital Licensing for Logistics Efficiency

The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is set to introduce a digital licensing system in the second quarter of 2025, aimed at streamlining logistics operations and enhancing sector efficiency. By adopting a digital approach, NIPOST seeks to modernise the sector and enhance overall efficiency.

This was said by Ms Tola Odeyemi, the Postmaster-General of NIPOST, at a stakeholders’ forum themed Integrating Digital and Physical Infrastructure to Accelerate E-commerce in Lagos on Wednesday.

She claims that the digital licensing regime will also enable applicants to obtain digital certificates and monitor the status of their licenses.

“We are migrating from an analogue to a digital licensing process that should be ready in the second quarter of this year; this will allow people to track and know the status of their licenses.

“It will also allow them to get digital certificates as their licence, and for those who want the physical ones, we will provide it also,” she said.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, stated in his welcoming speech that e-commerce was crucial to Nigeria’s economy and the world economy.

As we reimagine the operations and efficiency of @NipostNgn, I am looking forward to engaging with stakeholders on February 5th, 2025 at a co-creation session themed “Accelerating E-commerce through Digital and Physical Infrastructure Integration”.

Together with industry… pic.twitter.com/73prFxciUy

— Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani (@bosuntijani) January 31, 2025

Speaking on behalf of the NIPOST Postmaster-General, Tijani pointed out that achieving this potential necessitated a thorough strategy to solve the infrastructure and logistical issues that impede the smooth flow of products and services, especially in rural and neglected areas.

The minister stated that in order to overcome the difficulty, NIPOST offices must be integrated with all digital platforms in order to enhance the nation’s logistics network.

He claimed that NIPOST, which has more than 1,000 post offices nationwide, was now underutilised.

He pointed out that in order to provide a revolutionary chance to establish a national logistics network, it was vital to integrate the assets with digital platforms and use them to support delivery and logistics.

“This network will make e-commerce accessible across Nigeria’s 36 states, significantly boosting inclusion and accessibility in underserved regions.

“This integration will provide a critical boost to the e-commerce ecosystem, lowering barriers to entry, enhancing logistics capabilities, and expanding market access for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“By strengthening this foundation, we ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy thrives not just locally but also contributes to advancing intra-African trade under AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocols,” Tijani said.

Speaking about the nation’s infrastructure problem, Glovo Nigeria’s general manager, Lamide Akinola, stated that the company has been using technology in a number of ways, such as route optimisation and assistance.

She pointed out that the increasing use of digital and e-payments was already addressing the payment dilemma.

“The infrastructure challenges are being addressed, even on the regulator’s side and our side as well, and I think we are getting there and seeing progress,” Akinola said.

NAN