The Federal Government has intensified its nationwide sensitisation on the Proof of Address (POA) project, engaging stakeholders in the South-South geopolitical zone to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.

The latest stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting was held on March 13, 2025, at Bon Hotel, Garden City, Port Harcourt. Organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the event brought together key officials and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss the project’s activation and its benefits.

Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. George Akume, the Director of Political and Constitutional Matters, Mrs. Helen Gapriya, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rolling out a nationwide address verification system across all 774 local government areas. She stated that the POA system would provide every resident with a secure and verifiable address, enhancing administrative processes in governance and the private sector.

Gapriya highlighted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to tackle key national challenges and establish a stronger identity management framework. She noted that the absence of an effective address verification system has contributed to issues like crime, insecurity, and poor planning. The POA project, she said, would play a crucial role in resolving these challenges by improving national security and streamlining government services.

“The Proof of Address system will help curb social vices, strengthen local government administration, and reduce reliance on physical documentation for identification and verification,” she said.

She also noted that the South-South sensitisation meeting is part of an ongoing national campaign, with similar engagements planned for other geopolitical zones in the coming days.

The National Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Bello Lawal, represented by the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, expressed full support for the initiative.

Nkom described the project as a crucial step toward strengthening national security, enhancing financial inclusion, and fostering economic growth. He emphasised that the POA system would be a key component of Nigeria’s civil registration and data infrastructure, enabling better planning and access to financial services.

Rivers State’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Dame Dr. Itong Awani, underscored the significance of the POA project in ensuring that all residents have verifiable addresses. She noted that this would enhance access to public services and improve governance.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Bureau, Office of the SSG, Bayelsa State, Mr. Claude Ujile, affirmed Bayelsa’s commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure the project’s success. He expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to better governance, security, and economic development in both the state and the country.

The meeting concluded with a consensus among stakeholders on the necessity of the Proof of Address System for national development. Participants pledged their commitment to supporting the project’s implementation and adoption at all levels of governance.

With continued cooperation from all stakeholders, the Federal Government and ALGON remain confident that the POA project will significantly improve identity management, enhance security, and optimise service delivery across Nigeria.