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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has launched the NIPOST–Paystack Customs Duty Payment Portal, a digital platform designed to simplify customs duty payments, improve parcel delivery, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the initiative marks another milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise public service delivery through technology, innovation and partnership.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Rafiu Adeladan, the minister said the project demonstrates what a reformed and forward-thinking public service should look like.
He explained that the initiative directly addresses long-standing frustrations faced by Nigerians importing goods, such as hidden customs charges, long queues, and poor communication, which have discouraged trade and e-commerce growth.
According to him, under the arrangement, Paystack provides a secure payment channel for customs duties, Messenger ensures fast parcel delivery, while Sendbox offers real-time tracking for transparency and accountability.
“This collaboration between NIPOST and its private-sector partners shows what happens when government institutions stop working in isolation and start working in partnership, with innovators, with technology, and with citizens at the centre of our thinking, a citizen-centred service. This is how a modern public service should operate: one that sees the private sector not as a rival but as a co-creator and collaborator for national progress.
“For years, too many Nigerians importing small parcels or business goods have faced the same frustrations; hidden customs charges revealed only at pickup, long queues at post offices, and endless social-media complaints about inefficiency. These are not just customer-service problems, they are barriers to trade, to e-commerce, and to the daily hustle of small businesses trying to compete in a global economy. When citizens lose time and money navigating inefficient systems, we all lose value as a nation.
“This launch represents a solution very much at the heart of Mr President’s priorities for our digital economy, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This is a brilliant example of DPI at work, not as an idea, but as a living, breathing system. Paystack provides the secure and seamless payment channel for customs duties, Messenger ensures parcels reach homes and offices with reliability and speed while Sendbox brings transparency through real-time tracking, so customers know exactly where their parcels are.
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“Together, they have built an ecosystem that reduces friction, restores trust, and turns government into a platform for innovation. This is indeed a milestone to a digitally-enabled Nigeria,” Tijani stated.
He commended the Postmaster General and the NIPOST management team for embracing bold reforms that are producing tangible results, and urged other public institutions to follow suit.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Tola Odeyemi, explained that the partnership with Paystack, Messenger and Sendbox creates a seamless system for international inbound items.
Odeyemi said under the new process, customers will receive real-time customs duty notifications once assessed, followed by a secure Paystack payment link via email, SMS and WhatsApp.
She added that the innovation responds directly to customer feedback and complaints on social media about unexpected customs charges and delays.
“After payment, EMS and Messenger will ensure prompt last-mile delivery, while Sendbox provides real-time tracking to keep customers informed.
“This is not just about convenience. It is about building trust, improving transparency, accountability, efficiency and restoring confidence in public service.
“As the Chief Customer Service Officer, I am proud to say we are closing that gap. Customers will now receive instant duty notifications, pay online and have their parcels delivered to their doorsteps with full transparency,” she stated.
