In a post made by the Minister on the X platform, he asked
Nigerians for their thoughts on what they believe an ideal NIPOST should look
like.
He said, “NIPOST with over 1,180 post office outlets and
3000 agencies should be playing critical roles in the country’s digital
economy.”
“As we innovate towards a stronger digital economy, the role
of NIPOST cannot be underestimated. Please share some of your hopes for the
ideal NIPOST in the comments,” he said.
This tweet sparked various perspectives and opinions as
Nigerians shared their thoughts on how they envision an ideal NIPOST operating
in Nigeria.
One of the respondents was Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, CEO of Future
Africa, in his opinion he said “The ideal NIPOST would be like the NIBSS of
logistics. Let it be the open backbone infrastructure for licensed courier
companies to power logistics for commerce and trade across the country.”
An X user identified as Jimoh Haadi Oluwaseyi in his
response identified and outlined reasons why NIPOST should be taken more into
consideration.
He said “While the digital economy has transformed how we
communicate and conduct business, the importance of post offices remains
significant to Nigeria’s growth.
The following are the reasons why we should do more on
postal services;
1. Last-mile delivery: Post offices play a crucial role in
delivering physical goods, especially in remote areas where digital services
may not be easily accessible. They bridge the gap between the digital and
physical worlds by ensuring that packages, documents, and important mail reach
their intended recipients.
2. E-commerce support: Despite the rise of online shopping,
many e-commerce transactions still rely on physical shipping and returns. Post
offices provide essential services such as tracking, secure delivery, and
return logistics, enabling the smooth functioning of e-commerce platforms.
3. Financial services: Post offices often offer banking and
financial services, including money transfers, bill payments, and savings
accounts. These services are essential for individuals who may not have access
to traditional banking institutions or prefer face-to-face interactions for
their financial needs.
4. Identity verification: Post offices are trusted entities
for identity verification and address confirmation. In the digital economy,
where online transactions and services require verifying user identities, post
offices can play a vital role in providing reliable verification services.
5. Digital divide bridging: Despite the digital
advancements, there are still segments of the population with limited access to
the internet or digital devices. Post offices act as intermediaries by
providing public access to computers, internet services, and assistance with
online transactions, thereby reducing the digital divide.
Overall, post offices continue to be essential in supporting
the digital economy by providing last-mile delivery, e-commerce support,
financial services, identity verification, and bridging the digital divide.
They ensure that the benefits of the digital era reach everyone, regardless of
their digital access or capabilities,” he said.
“NIPOST needs to be overhauled, I went to renew the annual
fee for the post office book last month, and I was surprised they still demand
cash payment because they have no POS,” a user identified as Modupe Okeowo
said.