BY FRANKLIN ALAO
The Nigerian Postal Service has started to reinvent itself through its uncommon and innovative strategies to change the narrative and reinforce its relevance in contemporary times.
In the last 11 months and following his sterling leadership style, the Postmaster General/Chief Executive Officer, NIPOST, Adeyemi Adepoju and the management have watered the growth and development of the agency.
Adepoju has rejuvenated the hope of Nigerians that transformation is possible and doable for NIPOST by bringing to bear his wealth of knowledge and experience in service provision, unique insight and selflessness in less than a year. Different from what used to be, NIPOST is now visible. It is now seen and heard under the leadership of Adepoju because he has stirred up a fresh atmosphere of growth in the country’s logistics industry.
Adepoju hit the ground running by acquiring and commissioning 20 brand new high-tech operational trucks of three and four tonnes, equipped with inbuilt scanners connected to impact track and trace applications.
The vehicles were procured to provide effective and efficient mail delivery services to mitigate challenges associated with logistics.
He also procured 100 motorbikes to ensure wide reach and enhance last-mile delivery, a feat which was last achieved in the organisation in 1992.
Leveraging inter-agency collaborations and partnerships, recently NIPOST and the National Agency for the Control of Aids successfully signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner on the transportation of biological samples in the country to encourage rapid testing even in remote areas through the National Sample Integrated Referral Network which is adjudged as a model for developing countries.
NIPOST has also proposed a partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service on the need to explore the viable option of the post system for the delivery of passports to citizens in the Diaspora and help mitigate the constant issues of the supply gap.
In line with the Federal Government’s agenda of improved security within the country, NIPOST, in collaboration with the National Population Commission, National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other partners, has kick-started the operation of digital postcode and National Address Verification System to facilitate mail handling, identify precise locations and ensure consistency in address-related database.
NIPOST plays a critical role in facilitating trade through the movement of goods from place to place which is critical in contributing to the growth of the digital economy in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
Adopting forward-thinking approaches, NIPOST continues to scale unparalleled heights in the e-commerce subsector, cementing its position as a towering giant in the logistics and courier services in Nigeria with its tentacles well spread across the 774 local government areas of the country. NIPOST now stands out as the shining light in the country’s courier regulations and logistics ecosystem.
In 2021, the airlifting of international outbound mails dwindled due to indebtedness of N200m to the airlines, and mails were not lifted as at and when due.
By April same year, KLM/Air France, our major carrier, also stopped operations in all European and Asian countries.
On assumption of office, Adepoju’s zeal and passion for the job directed immediate settlement of the accrued debt; bringing an end to delayed international mail delivery and leading to seamless operations on international mail movement.
Recently, social media was awash with the dilapidated state of the Ikoyi Post office.
The Postmaster General, who has a penchant for growth and development, renovated the Ikoyi Post Office, thereby transforming it into a smart post office and a one-stop shop offering world-class postal services where citizens can access a number of e-government services.
No doubt, with the emergence of Dr. Bosun Tijani as the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NIPOST will continue to stand on the trajectory of transformation in line with globally acceptable standards.
Both Dr. Bosun, a renowned tech entrepreneur, and Adepoju, a service delivery expert, would continue to drive the progress of NIPOST and certainly, NIPOST’s success story in the digital economy, despite its rocky and stormy history, will be the pride of the nation and the African continent.
.Alao is the Director, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Postal Service
