How to Write a Nigerian Address Correctly

Nigerian addresses are written in English and follow the order from the specific to the general. Since formal numbering is not always visible and street names can be unfamiliar, the written address is usually completed with a landmark and a phone number.

The usual order

1. Recipient name
2. House number or plot number, and the name of the building or estate, if any
3. Street name
4. Area, district or neighbourhood
5. City or town
6. Local government area, where useful
7. State (or Federal Capital Territory) and the six-digit postal code

Not every element is needed for every address. A short address in a city may be as simple as a house number, street, area and city, followed by the state.

Plot numbers and estates

In planned districts, especially around Abuja, addresses usually use plot numbers on named streets within a district. In residential estates, the block, house number and estate name are the central pieces, and the estate name is often how the destination is recognised. Always write it in full.

Landmarks

Landmarks are an established part of everyday addressing. Phrases like "off", "opposite", "beside" and "behind" followed by a well-known building, school, church, mosque, filling station or junction are normal. Good practice is to place the landmark in a dedicated line or a notes field and to choose one that is permanent and well known. A landmark should help the courier, not replace the street and area.

States and local government areas

Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, which are subdivided into local government areas (LGAs). The state is usually written in the final lines of an address. The LGA is not always required for local delivery, but some forms and official documents ask for it.

Formatted example

Placeholder values only:

Chinedu Example
Flat 3, Example Court
15 Example Street, Off Example Road
Exampleville, Example City
Example State 000000
Nigeria
Tel: 080 0000 0000

An exact-location code can be added in the notes. A UPCS code for Nigeria begins with NG, as in NG-XXXX-XXXX, and identifies a 3 m by 3 m cell on the map. It is not an official part of the address and is not issued by NIPOST, but the courier can open it in a map and navigate to the doorstep. The postal code format itself is covered in Nigeria postal code format explained, and the lookup process is in how to find a Nigeria postal code. Return to the Nigeria overview for the full list of pages.