NIPOST pledges effective service delivery on 150th anniversary

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has unveiled two new stamps as part of events to commemorate World Post Day and its 150th anniversary.

The newly launched stamps — ‘Post Planet’ and ‘Philatelic’ —  feature a commemorative logo for the anniversary.

The unveiling, which held on October 9 in Lagos, included a ‘Walk with NIPOST’, to raise awareness about NIPOST’s “innovations and service delivery”.

Tola Odeyemi, NIPOST’s postmaster general, said the organisation is committed to improving service delivery by leveraging digital innovations to remain competitive in the global postal landscape.

“Today is World Post Day and the 150-years celebration of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). It’s the platform for all postal organisations, which Nigeria also belongs to,” she said.

“Post is a key infrastructure globally in communicating, moving mail and commerce across the globe.

“For NIPOST, this milestone presents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to modernisation, innovation, and excellence.

“As we adapt to the changing needs of our customers, we are investing in technology, expanding our services, and enhancing the experience of those who rely on us.

“We have embraced digital transformation, integrating services such as e-commerce solutions, financial inclusion products, and efficient last-mile delivery systems.”

She noted that NIPOST is facing the same challenges confronting postal operators worldwide.

“Nigeria’s postal service is not different from the challenges other postal services are facing. Every postal operator has gone through the same challenges Nigeria Postal Service is going through, which is ageing infrastructure,” she added.

“The first postal office was built in 1897, and most of these offices were constructed during that period. There is also the issue of financial sustainability.

“If a postal service focuses on just one mode of business operation, there will be an issue of financial sustainability.”

Odeyemi added that the Nigerian government is actively working to reposition NIPOST for better service.

“The Nigerian government needs to see the Nigeria Postal Service as a partner in delivering financial, social, and digital inclusion, and the government is doing that,” she said.

“We are now at the stage of troubleshooting and repositioning NIPOST for better services.”

Kola Talent, special assistant to the postmaster general, said NIPOST organised a competition among secondary school students to design a new stamp for the 150th anniversary.

The winning design was selected as the official anniversary stamp.