The Oyo State Government has formally adopted the full implementation of the Proof of Address (PoA) initiative, setting March 1 as the official take-off date for its rollout across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and all 33 local government areas of the state.
As part of preparations for the statewide rollout, the government, in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, hosted its first statewide sensitisation programme on the PoA initiative for MDAs. The programme held on Friday at the House of Chiefs/Western Hall, Parliament Building, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
The sensitisation brought together representatives of state MDAs and local government officials, with a focus on aligning institutions with the operational framework of the PoA initiative ahead of its March 1 commencement. Participants were briefed on the objectives of the programme, implementation procedures and the strategic importance of PoA to governance, security and service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Professor Musibau Babatunde Adetunji, described the Proof of Address initiative as a cornerstone of effective governance and citizen identification. He said a reliable and verifiable address system is essential for planning, security architecture, social services and economic development.
Professor Adetunji noted that the sensitisation programme underscores the seriousness of the Oyo State Government’s commitment to the PoA project, particularly its full integration across MDAs and local governments. He recalled that facilitators were trained in the previous year as part of preparatory efforts, adding that the current engagement was designed to ensure uniform understanding and seamless implementation ahead of the March 1 take-off.
He explained that the PoA system is already improving residency verification, reducing identification ambiguities and promoting transparency in access to government services. According to him, full implementation of the initiative will strengthen data-driven decision-making and deepen trust between citizens and the government.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Muhammed Fadeyi, said the PoA initiative would significantly enhance security by improving the identification of individuals within communities. He commended the state government for deploying a forward-looking administrative tool to address security and governance challenges.
The programme coordinator, Mr. Segun Obayando, highlighted the broad benefits of the PoA initiative, including improved access to financial and government services, enhanced security coordination, and more accurate population and residency data for development planning.
Participants at the sensitisation programme described the initiative as timely and impactful, pledging their support for its successful implementation across their respective MDAs.
Oyo State remains the first state in Nigeria to approve and sign all enabling laws associated with the Proof of Address initiative and to host the maiden statewide sensitisation programme. With the adoption of full implementation and a March 1 take-off date, the state continues to position itself as a national leader in citizen identification reforms aimed at promoting good governance, security and improved quality of life for residents.