The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is a Government-owned courier service that will buy mailboxes in the future due to the high demand. It is quite popular in Nigeria because of its relative affordability. However, it is not always as efficient as private courier services.
Nigeria Postal Service Tracking
In this post, we will show you how to track your mail when you use the NIPOST as your mailing service.
But first, let take a look at the history of the postal service and NIPOST in Nigeria. The first post office was established by the British Colonial Masters in 1852 as it was considered to be a part of the British Postal System.
In 1898, the British Post Office established post offices at Badagary, Epe, Ikorodu, Ijebu-Ode, Ibadan, and Abeokuta. In 1892, the Royal Niger Company became a member of the Universal Postal Union. By 1908, Money Orders and mail were directly exchanged with the German West African Colonies instead of via London, as it was the practice.
The Nigeria Postal service Department came into being with the establishment of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) on January 1, 1985. NITEL emerged from the merger of the Telecommunications arm of the defunct Post and Telecommunications Department of the Ministry of Communications with the former Nigeria External Telecommunications Limited (NET). Through the promulgation of decree No. 18 of 1987, NIPOST became an Extra-Ministerial Department.
The decree provided among other functions of NIPOST, the following:
- To provide and operate facilities for collection, dispatch, and distribution of inland and overseas mail at a reasonable cost
- To provide and operate facilities for remittance of money through the money or postal order systems
- To provide and operate philatelic services in Nigeria
- To print and provide postage stamps for payment of postage tariff and payment of stamp duties.
- To represent Nigeria in its relations with other postal administrations and other bodies concerned with postal services
Prior to 1992, NIPOST operated as an Extra-Ministerial Department in the Ministry of Communications while Decree 18 of 1987 went through various amendments.
In response to the call to grant NIPOST some measure of autonomy, the Federal Government promulgated Decree 41 of 1992 and classified NIPOST as a Government Parastatal having the following basic functions:
- To develop, promote, and provide adequate and efficiently coordinated postal services at reasonable rates.
- To maintain an efficient system of collection, sorting and delivery of mail nationwide
- To provide various types of mail services to meet the needs of different categories of mailers
- To establish and maintain Postal facilities of such character and in such locations consistent with reasonable economics as will enable the generality of the public to have ready access to essential postal services.
- To represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria is her relations with other Postal Administrations and International bodies.
In addition to the above-stated functions, NIPOST also has powers:
- To determine the need for Post Offices, Postal facilities, and equipment as it may determine
- To prescribe the number of postage stamps and the manner in which it is to be paid
- To provide Philatelic Services
- To establish and review Postal Tariff
- To explore additional services to boost its revenue
- To provide and establish non-postal or similar services
Currently, NIPOST is the national carrier of all classes of mail items for delivery both within and outside Nigeria. Mail items, which include letters, postcards, printed papers, parcels, and aerograms are processed through the post office.
The types of mail include:
- Conventional Mail
These can be classified according to the delivery schedule or other qualities. They include:
- First Class Mail: These are mails that require faster delivery than ordinary mail and they attract extra postage fee.
- Second Class Mail: These are mail delivered at no cost other than the stipulated postage rate, a rate lower than that of First Class Mail.
- Registered Mail: These are mail items requiring special handling because of its contents, which may be Money Order, Postal Order, Bank draft etc. An extra fee is charged in addition to the postage payment.
- Business Mail
Business mail service is concerned with processing mail which is exclusively meant for business purposes (transactions).
Also, there are different types of Mail Delivery Services Delivery. These include:
- Post Office Boxes: Post Office boxes are installed in all post offices and sub-post office across the country, and are available for rent on completion of relevant forms and office formalities. The use of a post office box guarantees customers’ security, privacy, and convenience of their mail collection.
- Private Mail Bag: This service is available on application to the Postmaster in-charge of any post office. It is particularly suitable for customers who receive a large quantity of mail (daily) and is prepared to accept delivery/collection usually at least once daily. Correspondences for private mailbag users are also available for delivery/collection earlier than those for delivered by postmen.
- Special Delivery Service: This is a service introduced for corporate organizations that have ‘PMB’ and generate a large volume of mail. On agreed frequency, NIPOST collects client’s mail for their private mailbags and delivers to their offices for an agreed fee. This service saves the clients time, money and the infrastructure required for mail collection and delivery.
- Post Restante: This is a service for individuals traveling out of their base, who expect important letters. Interested customers could call for such letters by applying for “Post Restante” or “To be called for”. There must also be proof of identity to ensure that delivery is made to the proper person; the applicant should be able to state from what place or district he expects the mail. If he decides to send for his mail, the messenger, besides being furnished with the above information must have a written authority to collect such letters.
- Street Delivery: It entails mail delivery by postmen on house to house basis. The effectiveness of this service depends, to a large extent, on how well a street is named and numbered.
- Caller Services: Where there is no house to house delivery and individuals are unable to procure a private box or private mail bags, addressees may claim their correspondence at the post office or postal agency during normal office hours.
The process of tracking your package involves visiting the NIPOST website and entering your item tracking number. You will be able to find the location of your item once you enter your tracking number. And that’s it, it’s as simple as ABC.