Federal Government Launches LG Proof of Address to Strengthen Citizen Identification
The Federal Government has officially introduced the Local Government Proof of Address (POA) initiative, aimed at enhancing national security, citizen identification, and service delivery across the country.
This project, initiated by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was formally approved through a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), with reference number 5964B/S,13/VBA/T.IIIA/704.
The circular states that the POA scheme took effect on October 1, 2025. However, its implementation is progressing at different rates across various federal and state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Under the new policy, all federal and state MDAs, government-owned corporations, and public institutions are required to replace the traditional use of utility bills as proof of residence with a standardized Proof of Address issued at the local government level.
The circular explains that the POA project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point development agenda, especially in governance reform, security, and institutional efficiency.
The initiative is managed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) serving as the main federal coordinating agency.
“For years, reliance on utility bills as proof of residence has posed significant challenges. Many Nigerians do not possess utility bills in their names, and some rely on outdated or shared documents that do not accurately reflect their current residence,” the circular noted.
It also highlighted that while the National Identification Number (NIN) remains essential to Nigeria’s identity management system, many NIN records lack current or accurate residential addresses, limiting their effectiveness for residency verification, security profiling, and service planning.
“The POA is designed to address this gap by providing verified, location-specific, and up-to-date address information directly linked to local governments,” it stated.
Placing residency verification at the grassroots level—where local authorities have better knowledge of their communities—will help improve community intelligence, crime prevention, emergency response, and data accuracy.
Beyond security, the circular noted that POA data will enable improved public service delivery, fair resource distribution, disaster planning, urban development, targeted social interventions, and financial inclusion.
The circular urged state governments to lead awareness campaigns and sensitization efforts within their areas, with technical and institutional support from the OSGF, NIPOST, and ALGON.
