The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in collaboration with Paystack and Sendbox, has introduced a digital payment system to streamline payments for inbound postal items. This platform offers real-time duty calculation, online payments, and integrated delivery tracking.

At the official launch in Abuja, NIPOST said the initiative marks a significant step in modernising Nigeria’s postal and logistics system, especially at a time when e-commerce continues to grow rapidly across the country.

Representing Minister Bosun Tijani, Permanent Secretary Rafiu Adeladan hailed the initiative as a model of government-private sector collaboration for improved public services. He stated the partnership demonstrates a move toward citizen-centred service delivery, leveraging technology to streamline and increase the transparency of everyday transactions.

With this digital solution, customers can now make payments directly online and have their parcels tracked and delivered to their doorsteps, without facing long queues or hidden charges at post offices.

Fixing old problems: how NIPOST digital payment system works

For many years, Nigerians who ordered goods from abroad often faced unexpected customs charges and long waiting times before receiving their parcels. Many had to visit post offices multiple times or queue for hours just to pay additional fees. These inefficiencies not only delayed deliveries but also discouraged small businesses involved in cross-border e-commerce.

The new system, developed with private-sector partners Paystack and Sendbox, is designed to solve those problems. It integrates customs duty assessment, payment processing, and tracking on one digital platform. Users can now pay customs or postal charges online using Paystack, while Sendbox provides logistics support for tracking and delivery.

He also noted that inefficient systems had long affected small businesses importing goods into the country. The new system, he explained, would make cross-border trade faster, cheaper, and more reliable, boosting Nigeria’s position in digital commerce.

The process is straightforward. When a parcel arrives in Nigeria, recipients are notified through NIPOST’s platform. Instead of going to the post office, they can log into the new portal to view all necessary charges, customs duty, postal fees, and other costs, calculated in real time.

From there, users can make secure payments online via Paystack and track the delivery progress through Sendbox’s integrated tracking tool. Once payment is completed, the parcel is cleared for dispatch and delivered to the customer’s location.

Read also: Celebrating the appointment of Tola Odeyemi as the new Postmaster-General and CEO of NIPOST

This new approach replaces the manual system that often caused confusion and delays. By bringing all payment and tracking steps online, NIPOST is reducing the need for physical visits to post offices and cutting down the chances of payment errors or delays.

Why it matters for Nigerians and the digital economy

This innovation offers everyday Nigerians faster, more reliable service with fewer unexpected costs. Importers of goods, both personal and for small businesses, benefit from transparent, upfront fee information and secure, traceable digital payments, reducing corruption and loss.

NIPOST’s Postmaster General, Tola Odeyemi, said the new platform represents a major step in the agency’s digital transformation. She emphasised that NIPOST is no longer just a postal delivery service but a key player in Nigeria’s growing e-commerce and logistics ecosystem.

“For decades, NIPOST has connected Nigerians through letters and parcels,” she said. “But connection today means more than delivery; it means convenience, transparency, and trust. This collaboration brings all three together.”

She added that the agency listened to customer complaints about sudden charges and poor communication and built the new system to address those pain points directly. The aim, she said, is to rebuild public trust and make the postal service an integral part of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Odeyemi described the project as proof that innovation can thrive within government institutions when they collaborate with private tech companies. “Innovation isn’t just for startups,” she said. “Public institutions can also lead in delivering digital solutions that make life easier for citizens.

This launch is part of NIPOST’s modernisation plan for its postal and financial services in Nigeria. In May, NIPOST announced its readiness to provide nationwide financial services via its Super Agent and International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) licenses.

The Digital Payment Solution for Inbound Postal Items, therefore, fits into a larger strategy to make NIPOST a one-stop hub for logistics, payments, and trade facilitation.

The agency’s collaboration with fintech firms like Paystack and logistics platforms like Sendbox fosters digital collaboration in the public sector, aligning with Nigeria’s vision for a modern, efficient, and technology-driven economy.