The Federal Government has announced plans to work with state and local governments, as well as other stakeholders, to address insecurity through the new Proof of Address system.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made this known at the South West stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held on Monday at Protea Hotel, Ikeja. Represented by a Director in his office, Helen Gapriya, Akume described the initiative as a major step toward improving security, strengthening governance, and delivering services more efficiently, especially at the grassroots.
According to him, the Proof of Address system will be rolled out in all 774 local government areas. It aims to provide every resident with a verifiable and secure address, which will be useful for both government and private sector services.
Akume explained that the inability to properly identify and verify addresses in Nigeria has made it harder to fight crime, secure communities, and plan for development. He said the new system will enhance national security, improve data for government planning, and make society more orderly.
“This initiative is timely and necessary. It will strengthen our national identity system, help curb criminal activities, and create a safer environment for everyone,” he said.
He added that the system will also reduce the need for physical documents and support local governments in delivering better services.