Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has launched an automated digital payment platform for inbound international parcels, aimed at streamlining customs payments and improving service efficiency.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement issued on Thursday, the new system was unveiled in Abuja as part of NIPOST’s ongoing transformation under the supervision of Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy.
The platform is designed to remove long queues, ensure transparency, and simplify payment processes for individuals and businesses involved in cross-border trade.
Speaking at the launch, Tijani, represented by Rafiu Adeladan, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the initiative reflects how public institutions can leverage technology to deliver efficient and citizen-focused services.
Tijani said, “This collaboration between NIPOST and its private-sector partners shows what happens when government institutions stop working in isolation and start working in partnership, with innovators, with technology, and with citizens at the centre of our thinking, a citizen-centred service.”
He acknowledged the frustrations many users face due to hidden charges, slow processing, and long queues, noting that such inefficiencies hinder trade, e-commerce, and small business growth in the global market.
Postmaster General Tola Odeyemi described the project as a new chapter in NIPOST’s modernization drive that blends traditional postal service with fintech and innovation.
She said the first phase targets inbound parcels, while the next stage will extend to export operations through the forthcoming TradePost project.
Odeyemi said, “For the government, this means transparency and efficiency. For customers, it means speed, convenience, and confidence”, adding that the system allows real-time remittance of revenue to the government.
Shola Akinlade, CEO of Paystack; Olusegun Afolahan, co-founder of Sendbox; and Essien Etuk, co-founder of Messenger, commended NIPOST for embracing digital transformation and improving logistics processes nationwide.
Etuk said, “For the first time, we’re seeing progress that will mean happier customers, faster deliveries, and more revenue for both NIPOST and the broader digital economy.”
NIPOST noted that the innovation aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope digital economy agenda, which focuses on building digital public infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships to modernise services and improve national competitiveness.
