In 2022, the revenue from Nigeria’s postal activities saw a decrease, falling from N3.63 billion in the previous year to N3.01 billion.

This represents a 17.05% decline. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released these figures in its 2022 Postal Service Data.

The data also highlighted a 19.43% drop in the number of Post Offices and Postal Agencies, from 2,794 in 2021 to 2,251 in 2022.

Furthermore, the number of boxes installed in 2022 was 836,731, a slight decrease of 0.08% from 837,428 in 2021.

The total number of PMBs available in 2022 stood at 20,775, marking an 8.44% decline from 22,689 in 2021.

However, there was a significant increase in the number of postal articles handled in 2022, with a 102.05% rise from 17.7 million in 2021 to 35.7 million.

The report detailed that 15,669,072 were domestic mails, 543,893 were dispatched abroad, and 19,463,153 were received from abroad and delivered within Nigeria.

Lagos State led in the number of boxes installed in 2022 with 143,416, while Jigawa had the least at 1,800.

Editorial:
The recent figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics paint a concerning picture for Nigeria’s postal service. While the world is rapidly advancing with digital communication, the decline in revenue and infrastructure for the postal service is alarming.

This decline not only impacts the revenue but also the accessibility of essential services for many Nigerians, especially those in rural areas.

The significant drop in the number of Post Offices and Postal Agencies is a testament to the challenges faced by the sector.

However, the silver lining is the notable increase in the number of postal articles handled, suggesting that while the infrastructure might be shrinking, the demand for postal services remains.

It’s crucial for those in power to recognise the importance of a robust postal system. Steps should be taken to modernise the service, integrate digital solutions, and ensure its sustainability.

This will not only boost revenue but also enhance the service’s reach and efficiency.

Did You Know?

• The world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840.
• The Universal Postal Union, established in 1874, coordinates postal policies among member nations worldwide.
• Nigeria’s postal service, NIPOST, was founded in 1852.
• The world’s smallest post office is located in Ochopee, Florida, USA.
• The term “going postal” originated in the US in the 1990s, referring to a series of incidents where postal workers carried out workplace violence.