The Federal Government has finalized arrangements to implement the Local Government Proof of Address System (POA) across the 774 Local Government Areas, aiming to enhance national security, economic planning, and national identity management.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, CON, disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Meeting on the activation and implementation of the POA system. The event brought together key representatives from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the German Embassy in Abuja.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, in the Office of the SGF, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Akume stated that the POA system will provide Nigerians with a verifiable and secure address, forming an essential part of administrative processes in both the public and private sectors.

He explained that once fully implemented, the initiative will equip law enforcement agencies with a comprehensive database of verifiable addresses, enabling them to track and mitigate criminal activities and social vices. Additionally, it will facilitate resource allocation, policy implementation, and reduce risks in lending, delivery services, and commerce at the local government level.

To ensure the success of the initiative, Akume urged all MDAs to adopt the Proof of Address certificate from LGAs as a requirement for establishing reliable and verifiable addresses. He described the POA initiative as a beacon of hope, progress, and a testament to the government’s commitment to building a better Nigeria.

In his remarks, the National President of ALGON, Bello Lawal, represented by his Special Assistant and former Chairman of Karu LGA, Hon. Akala Samuel, emphasized that the POA system will lay a strong foundation for improved governance, planning, and service delivery. He noted that the initiative would strengthen security efforts, economic development, and social welfare while equipping agencies such as the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security Service with accurate data for intelligence gathering to combat insecurity at the grassroots level.

Also speaking, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Annett Gunther, represented by Police Liaison Officer (CID) German Embassy, Dominik Mueller, commended Nigeria’s efforts toward implementing the POA system. He urged the Federal Government to take inspiration from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), emphasizing the importance of a robust database that could assist key institutions such as the military, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Population Commission (NPC), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).