Nigeria To Reset National Addressing Council For Improved Urban Planning, Financial Inclusion

The federal government is getting ready to reset the National Addressing Council (NAC) to address issues with Nigeria's addressing system, as per a discussion that took place during a pre-meeting of the council.

Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa chaired the council, where it was disclosed that the new NAC and a technical committee will be set up next year to focus on planning, economic, and financial inclusion, as well as creating an effective national addressing system.

The vice president said there was a need to standardize Nigeria's addressing system quickly, calling it crucial for better service delivery, urban planning and economic growth, as per the official statement shared on X.

"We cannot solve the challenges of urban planning, service delivery, or even basic navigation unless we establish a system that creates order," the vice president said. "A robust addressing system is not just about convenience; it is about national development, security, and socio-economic progress."

The vice president criticized the current disorganized addressing system, highlighting its negative effects on governance, logistics and financial inclusion for many Nigerians.

He pointed out that many cities have houses that were poorly numbered or not numbered at all, which not only made address mapping difficult, but also lowered trust in address verification, delayed emergency responses, and excludeed many people from financial services.

Shettima acknowledged the progress made seven years ago with the introduction of the National Addressing System initiative, but pointed out the need to move from planning to actual implementation.

He said that the addressing system should not be neglected or delayed, and stressed that a standardized addressing system was essential for Nigeria's goal of becoming a modern economy.

The vice president pointed out that the challenge was not about assigning tasks, but about creating collaboration between federal, state and local governments. He added that political will and technical expertise must work together to make this initiative successful.

He further said that the goal was not just to address logistical issues, but to build a more organized, secure and prosperous Nigeria.