The Federal Government has announced plans to implement the Local Government Proof of Address (POA) System across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
This initiative is part of efforts to enhance national security, improve economic planning, and strengthen the country’s national identity management systems.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, made the announcement at a Stakeholders’ Meeting for the Activation and Implementation of the Local Government Proof of Address System in Abuja.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and representatives from the German Embassy.
Represented by Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office in the Office of the SGF, Sen. Akume highlighted the importance of the POA system in providing Nigerians with a secure and verifiable address.
“This proof of address will play a crucial role in administrative processes across both public and private sectors.
“Once fully implemented, the POA system will provide law enforcement agencies with a robust database of verifiable addresses, assisting in tracking and mitigating criminal activities and social vices.
“Additionally, it will support local governance by improving resource allocation, policy implementation, and reducing risks in sectors such as lending, commerce, and delivery services.” The SGF said.
Sen. Akume urged all MDAs to adopt the POA certificate from the LGAs as a requirement for establishing reliable and verifiable addresses, emphasizing that this initiative symbolizes hope, progress, and the government’s dedication to creating a better Nigeria.
The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Bello Lawal, also spoke at the event.
Represented by Hon. Akala Samuel, his Special Assistant and former Chairman of Karu LGA, Lawal assured that the POA initiative would lay a solid foundation for improved governance, planning, and service delivery across the nation.
He stressed that the system would also aid law enforcement agencies such as the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in gathering accurate data to combat insecurity at the grassroots level.
In a goodwill message, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Annett Gunther, represented by Police Liaison Officer (CID) Dominik Mueller, commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing the POA initiative.
He suggested that the FG could draw inspiration from Lagos State’s Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) to build a comprehensive database that would benefit institutions like the military, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Population Commission (NPC), and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).