The postal code system is a highly effective method. With time and constant upgrades, it has helped to drastically beat down the stress and challenges encountered during the sorting and delivery of mails.

Postal codes in Nigeria consist only of numbers, unlike in other countries where they sometimes have an alphanumeric structure. These codes are generated figures that determine the end destination of either a letter, parcel, or postcard.

In this article, I will discuss everything you need to know about the Nigeria Postal code.

What Is Nigeria’s Postal Code?

Different geographical locations in Nigeria have different postal codes. Nigeria is divided into nine regions, and the first three figures of a postal code are determined by which geographical region the final destinations fall under. The last three figures tell the address the parcel is to be delivered to.

No two states have the same postal code. Even within States, there are different towns, cities, villages, and districts; therefore, it is very likely for locations in a state to have varying postal codes. However, the first three digits remain the same.

Nigeria’s postal service was established by the British late in the 1900s. A few years later, postal codes were introduced as a definitive way of ensuring that official mails got to their destination with ease. At the time of its inception, post offices were only meant for administrative purposes.

What is the Postal code for my state?

Below is a complete list of postal codes for all of Nigeria’s thirty-six states:

3	Akwa Ibom	520001
4	Anambra	420001
5	Bauchi	740001
6	Bayelsa	561001
7	Benue	561001
8	Borno	600001
9	Cross River	540001
10	Delta	320001
11	Ebonyi	840001
12	Edo	300001
13	Ekiti	360001
14	Enugu	400001
15	Gombe	760001
16	Imo	460001
17	Jigawa	720001
18	Kaduna	700001
19	Kano	800001
20	Katsina	820001
21	Kebbi	860001
22	Kogi	260001

23	Kwara	240001
24	LagosMainlandIsland	100001101001
25	Nasarawa	962001
26	Niger	920001
27	Ogun	110001
28	Ondo	340001
29	Osun	230001
30	Oyo	200001
31	Plateau	930001
32	Rivers	500001
33	Sokoto	840001
34	Taraba	660001
35 36	Yobe Zamfara	320001 860001

Luckily, you need not memorize postal codes for all 36 States. To know the postal code for your state, you could simply:

• Go online to www.nigeriapostalcode.com.
• Locate your state and click on it
• Further, select your local government from the list that emerges.
• Search for the code of your exact location.

Are Zip Codes Same as Postal Codes?

A zipcode serves the same function as a postal code. However, the zip code is mostly alphanumeric. Many countries use the postal codes as an addressing system, but it is not necessarily referred to as the ‘Postal Code.’

Different countries have different names for their addressing system; 

The Indians refer to theirs as Pincode

The Germans call theirs Postleizahl, which translates in English to Postal code

Ireland calls theirs Eircode

The Netherlands refer to theirs as Post Code

Most Nigerians mistake Nigeria’s international phone dialing code (234) to be her zip code. The truth is, Nigeria does not have a ‘zip code.’ So whenever you encounter the need for a zipcode either for international deliveries or online registration, input any of these three: 110001, 23401, or 00176.

Zip Codes are primarily used in the US and the Philippines, while postal codes are utilized in over a hundred other countries aside from Nigeria. Furthermore, zip codes came into existence 16 years before postal codes were invented. 

However, postal codes have proven more useful than zip codes. While zip codes are only for delivery, postal codes have an essential role to play when computing census and in route planning.

Can I Send a Letter Without a Postal Code?

The essence of a postal code is to beat down the delays during sorting and delivery. This is to say that you can send letters and parcels within Nigeria even without a postal code. All you need to do is ensure the correct delivery address is stated on the parcel, do this, and let the postman do his job, although you might be leaving him with more stress than warranted.

Regardless, a mistake in delivery address would not only slow down the delivery process, but they also might not even be any delivery in the end. If you do not confirm the recipient’s address before dispatching, the parcel will be returned to the sender’s address after much delay and unnecessary difficulty.

Unfortunately, there are no postal codes for interior villages within Nigeria. When a letter is sent to a rural location, the letter is sent to the nearest post office. Thereon, the local postman must ensure the letter reaches its final destinations safely.

When it comes to international posting and shipment, postal codes, or zip code as the case may be, are essential. Since these letters come in bulk, they cannot be handled by humans alone. Hence machines are employed to decode the postal codes

If a letter is not correctly addressed, the computer sets it aside and focuses on the accurate ones. The set-aside letters are then left for mail carriers to sort manually before distribution. Eventually, even the postmen may not deliver it to its supposed location.

In addition, you can send a parcel overseas with just a name and a postal code. However, be sure to include a return address should the mail end up undelivered. The downside of sending a mail with just a postal code is that most times, a single postal code covers more than one residence; without an exact residence address, your parcel may end up in the wrong hands or even back in your hands.

You can quickly look up the postal code of your intended destination online; better still, head to the nearest point office for more assistance and clarification.

Only 63 countries out of the world’s 195 do not use a postal code as an addressing system. When writing to any of these 63 countries, all you need to do is write the country’s name in block letters on the last line of the receiver’s address.

When mailing a letter overseas, you should opt for a trustworthy shipping agency so that your parcel does not end up lost or stolen. DHL is one of the oldest and most reliable shipping companies that have been around for ages. With them, you can ensure your package will reach its ideal destination.

What Are the Objectives of a Postal Code?

The postal code is a great mechanism to ease the postman’s stress. Initially, they were developed due to an insufficient workforce to handle the excessive emails coming in. Although its invention did rid some postmen of their jobs, it had proven to be beyond efficient in postal services.

Now, how exactly does a postcode lessen a postman’s job?

• Hastens the sorting of mails: Before the invention of postcards and bar codes, the sorting of mails was done manually, and as expected, the procedure was strenuous and time-consuming. It did not even help that most post offices then were understaffed.

However, the invention of devices to denote postal codes has facilitated automatic mail sorting. When mails are sent to the distribution center, an optical scanner scans the codes and displays a more specific address for the parcel.

• Eases Delivery: With the address already deciphered, the postman would have little or no stress distributing the parcels. With a postal code, there are very few chances of a parcel getting lost.
• Easy Retrieval: Should a parcel get lost or delivered to the wrong location, the postal code can be traced and the parcel retrieved.
• Direct International parcels: Addressing a parcel headed overseas with a valid postal code would ensure its safe landing. With a  correct postal code and a trustworthy shipping company, you need not worry about your parcels crossing the border.

Furthermore, when ordering products online, especially from foreign sites, inputting your correct postal code guarantees that you will receive your parcel without much of a hassle.

Does a PO Box have a Postal code?

Since postal codes cover a geographic region, PO boxes in close locations will likely share a postal code; only in some instances are there PO boxes with postal codes. 

This brings us to the PO Box Only Zip Code. However, this system of addressing is seldom used in Nigeria. A P.O Box Only Zip code is functional in areas that only receive parcels via a P.O Box.

A military locale is an example of a body assigned a PO Box Only Zip Code. Since mail delivery cannot be done directly by postmen, all mail intended for military personnel is dropped off at these addresses, and they are further distributed to their intended owners.

Is the Postal System in Nigeria Still Operational?

There are over 3000 post offices in Nigeria; the sad reality, however, is that not many of them are fully operational. It is common knowledge that technology clamps down all analog standard living forms. Manual sending and receiving letters have been run out of the market by the constant use and advancement in telecommunication.

Unlike in the past, when letters were the primary means of communication, they are presently considered an outdated means of information transmission. The use of telecom devices has led to the shut down of a lot of post houses, causing a majority of mail carriers to lose their source of livelihood.

The good news is, some organizations and corporate bodies still utilize postal services to convey official documents. It is a rare thing in recent times for an individual to patronize a post office to send letters.

Another factor that ran post offices out of business was the invention of courier services. While post offices are government-owned, a courier agency can be set up by any individual with enough funds to run it. 

A majority of Nigerians would opt for Courier services. Not only are they faster than postal service, but their customer services are also top-notch; they deliver packages and letters. Even better, there are courier services that offer international services. Postal service does not stand a chance against a courier service. 

What If I Do Not Have a Postal Code?

If you reside in any of the big cities in Nigeria, then you are very likely to access your postal code easily. If you happen to be based in any rural location, you may encounter a few glitches when receiving mail.

If ever you’re stuck in an interior area and then you’re asked for a postal code before you can receive an inter or intra-national mail, don’t fret just yet; there are a few alternatives you could try:

• PO Box: A PO Box address could suffice for a postal code, especially if the parcel has been sent to you from Nigeria. Ensure that the delivery address is accurate to avoid delay or return the parcel.

To get a PO Box in Nigeria, you could visit NIPOST’s headquarters in Abuja and ally for one. Better still, you could visit NIPOST’s official website, fill in the required info, make necessary payments, and have your PO BOX delivered to your location.

• Someone else’s: Even if you do not have a postal code in your locality, you must know at least a person or two who does in theirs. Put a call across to them before and after using their passcode as a recipient’s address. With this, you can rest assured of your parcel’s safety and go to get it at your convenience.
• Your Work address: Since a recipient address does not necessarily have to be your residential address, you could have your parcels mailed to your place of work. Once it gets there, it is very likely to find its way to your desk; after all, your name would be appended on it.

Conclusion

Postal codes make sorting and delivery of mail a lot easier. 70% of the initial stress is slashed off.

This article gives you a comprehensive wrap of the Nigeria postal codes of all thirty-six states, which is a good thing because memorizing the postal codes of every state is almost impossible.

Postal codes are the same as zip codes; it all comes down to the country it is operating in. Different countries have different names for postal codes, while others do not have a postal code at all.

Originally posted 2022-01-05 17:05:00.