NIPOST, One Network Launch Financial Shared Services
A major milestone in making financial inclusion a reality in Nigeria has been reached with the launch of One Network-managed multistakeholder partnership involving Nigeria Postal Service ( NIPOST ), which is making its 1,170 post offices available for the provision of shared financial services by Central Bank of Nigeria- licensed financial institutions.
The institutions include FirstBank’s FirstMonie , Nigeria Agric Payment Initiative ( NAPI ) involving NIMC , Ministry of Agriculture and Central Bank-based on cellulant’s mobile payment platform.
According to the Post Master General, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba, with over 40million Nigerians especially those that live in the rural areas , the post office will, soon become the most important centre for access to financial and citizen services .
“We all need to remember that NIPOST is not just about posting stamps but is actually setup to provide much more. For example, we have completed arrangements with e-commerce services providers like Konga, which will also be able to utilise this project to extend their services to unserved areas across the country.”
Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) has said it would partner to use its new Ka-band to boost internet accessibility in all the targeted 50,000 rural area locations.
Managing-Director of NIGCOMSAT¸ Ms Abimbola Alale, told newsmen in Abuja that the new Ka-band would provide cheap internet financial transactions and internet accessibility at a lower cost to Nigerians through this partnership. Alale said the new Ka-band inaugurated recently would be used by NIPOST, government, private and public stakeholders to achieve its aim.
The Director General of NITDA , Mr. Peter Jack, also committed to setting up Public Access Venues with connected systems that could be used for access to digital services by the local community where the post offices are located.
This project is an initiative of stakeholders coming together to make sure that it works out.
It is going to transform NIPOST to a modern postal service through digital financial services starting with 1,170 Post offices across the country.
The National Identity Management Commission ( NIMC) also indicated that this project has the potential to make it easy for the local people to get their National Identity Cards more conveniently. “
The Chief Executive of One Network (the Project Managing Partner), Mr. Sola Bickersteth, said the Ka-band satellite from NIGCOMSAT would enable affordable connectivity in every rural community across Nigeria, creating job opportunities for interested agents.
He said rural people would also have access to agriculture loans, small business loans , mortgage facilities , insurance among others services that are beneficial to rural citizens .
“We are collaborating with the various stakeholders to have the post offices properly equipped , powered and connected as well provided with trained agent services staff.”
Other financial institutions and service providers also have the opportunity to become a part of the NIPOST Financial and Citizen Benefit Shared Services Scheme which targets 50,000 locations across the country.