As part of activities marking the 2025 World Post Day, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has reaffirmed its relevance in the digital age, emphasizing its continued role in communication, logistics, and government revenue generation across the country.
Speaking on Thursday in Jos at a commemorative event themed: “Post for People: Local Service, Global Reach,” the Plateau State Postal Manager, Akaahar Michael, acknowledged that although personal letter writing has declined globally, NIPOST remains a critical player in e-commerce, official correspondence, and logistics.
“Nowadays, people often ask if NIPOST still exists — largely because personal letter writing has significantly declined worldwide. In the past, that was the primary means of communication. However, with technological advancements, personal letters have reduced, but business letters are actually on the rise,” Michael said.
He noted that innovation has strengthened the postal system, particularly through enhanced tracking technologies that allow customers to monitor parcels from origin to final delivery.
“In the past, when you sent a letter or parcel, you had to wait endlessly without knowing if it was delivered. Today, we can track every item from the point of origin to its destination. This has significantly improved trust and efficiency in postal delivery services,” he added.
Michael also highlighted NIPOST’s diversification beyond traditional mail delivery, including logistics for institutions such as JAMB and other examination bodies, as well as goods transportation services for individuals and businesses.
However, he identified insecurity and poor road infrastructure as major challenges affecting operations in parts of Plateau State and beyond.
“There are areas we can’t access because of insecurity, and in others, the roads are in terrible condition. These issues delay mail and goods delivery. Government intervention is urgently needed to improve infrastructure and ensure the safety of our staff,” he said.
Also speaking, Sani Aminu, District Stock Manager for NIPOST (Jos District), emphasized that the postal service remains a reliable and professional channel for official correspondence and physical document delivery.
“I often hear people say, ‘Does NIPOST still exist?’ My answer is always the same: yes, we still exist — and we’re functioning actively. Not all organizations accept CVs via email; some still require hard copies, and that’s where we come in,” Aminu said.
He called for greater government support to boost public awareness, improve infrastructure, and enhance staff welfare in NIPOST offices nationwide. He also highlighted NIPOST’s contribution to national revenue through stamp duty collection.
“Many wrongly assume that NIPOST is no longer functional. We need more publicity to enlighten the public. Some of our offices lack basic materials and infrastructure, and morale is low in some areas. Staff welfare needs urgent attention.
“E-commerce is growing rapidly, and NIPOST is part of that delivery chain. We are also involved in stamp duty collection — a vital revenue stream for the government. If enforcement is strengthened, it will boost compliance and internally generated revenue,” he stated.
Some residents in Jos also shared their experiences. Ngozi Chukwuma commended NIPOST’s efficiency, noting that her recent use of the service to send documents to Abuja took just two days.
Another resident, Daniel Gyang, urged the agency to modernize further and increase its visibility, especially among the youth.
“Many young people are unaware of the services NIPOST offers today. More outreach and modernization are needed,” he said.
World Post Day is observed annually on October 9 to recognize the role of the postal sector in daily life and its contributions to global social and economic development.
