Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Nigeria does not have one postal code. Every area has its own six-digit code issued by NIPOST (the Nigerian Postal Service). The main code for Lagos (Ikeja) is 100001, and for Abuja (Garki) it is 900001. The first digit is the region, the first three digits are the sorting district, and the last three are the delivery area. There is no official five-digit Nigerian ZIP code. Always use the six-digit code for your own area.
People search for a Nigeria postal code when an online shop, bank, visa form or courier asks for a ZIP or postcode. This guide explains how NIPOST codes are built, gives verified codes for major cities, and shows how to find the correct code for your street. For a longer state-by-state list, see our companion page, Postal code for Nigeria: state-by-state ZIP codes.
What is a postal code?
A postal code, also called a postcode or ZIP code, is a short number that tells the post office and couriers which sorting office and delivery area an address belongs to. In the US it is called a ZIP code. In Nigeria the official term is postcode, and NIPOST manages the system.
How the six-digit Nigerian postal code works
Every Nigerian postcode has six digits. Each group of digits has a job:
| Digits | What they represent | Example: 100001 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st digit | Region: the country is split into nine postal regions | 1 = Lagos region |
| 1st to 3rd digits | Dispatch district used for outgoing sorting | 100 |
| Last 3 digits | Delivery location: a post office, a rural area or an urban area | 001 = the main office |
Source: Postal codes in Nigeria (Wikipedia, citing NIPOST), checked 28 September 2026.
The main postal head office in each area usually has a code ending in 001. That is why so many cities appear online as 100001, 200001 or 900001. The lowest code in the country is 100001 (Lagos). Lagos codes run from 100001 up to 102361, and Port Harcourt codes run from 500001 to 500272.
Postal codes for major Nigerian cities
These are the head post office codes for major cities. Each one matched across at least two independent postcode directories when we checked in September 2026. Use them when you cannot find your exact street code. The specific code for your area is always better.
| City | State | Postal code |
|---|---|---|
| Ikeja (Lagos) | Lagos | 100001 |
| Ibadan | Oyo | 200001 |
| Benin City | Edo | 300001 |
| Enugu | Enugu | 400001 |
| Owerri | Imo | 460001 |
| Port Harcourt | Rivers | 500001 |
| Kano | Kano | 700001 |
| Kaduna | Kaduna | 800001 |
| Garki (Abuja) | FCT | 900001 |
Sources: zipcode.com.ng, postalcodes.com.ng, postalcode.ng and Wikipedia, checked 28 September 2026. These are head-office codes, not the code for every street in the city.
How to get the postal code for your address
- Ask your nearest post office. NIPOST staff can confirm the code for your street or area. The NIPOST website has a post office finder to locate branches.
- Check a trusted postcode directory. Search by state, then local government area, then town or street. Cross-check with a second directory, because they sometimes disagree.
- Look at official letters. Bank statements, utility bills and company letters sent to your address often include the postcode.
- Ask your estate, landlord or office admin. Businesses on the same street usually use the same code.
- If you cannot confirm it, use the head-office code for your city (the table above) and write a clear landmark and phone number in the address. Couriers in Nigeria rely heavily on those.
Is there a five-digit Nigeria ZIP code?
No. Nigerian postcodes are six digits. Some foreign websites only accept five-digit ZIP codes because they were built for US addresses. If that happens:
- Check that Nigeria is selected as the country. Many forms change the ZIP field when you do.
- Do not invent a code or type 00000 or 123456 unless the merchant tells you to. A wrong code can slow down customs and courier sorting.
- Contact the merchant’s support, or use a forwarding service. Travo’s international shipping service can bring goods from the UK, the US and China to a Nigerian address.
How to write a Nigerian address correctly
Use this order for parcels and forms:
- Recipient’s full name and phone number
- House number and street name
- Area or estate, plus a landmark (for example, opposite the filling station)
- Town or city, then local government area
- State and six-digit postcode
- Nigeria
International couriers such as DHL and FedEx also ask for the recipient’s phone number, and deliveries often fail without one. Our package tracking guide explains what to do if a shipment gets stuck.
Sending a parcel within Nigeria?
Book a pickup on Travo with the full address and postcode, and track it to the door. International shipments are also handled.
Do couriers in Nigeria actually use postcodes?
Yes, but not on their own. NIPOST uses the code to sort mail to the right delivery office. International couriers and online shops ask for it on their forms. Local dispatch riders and interstate couriers mostly work from the street address, a landmark and the recipient’s phone number. So give all three together. The postcode gets a parcel to the right area, and the landmark and phone number get it to the right door. For interstate parcels, see our guide on how to get a dispatch rider in Nigeria.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a single national code for everything. Nigeria has no national code. 100001 is Lagos (Ikeja), not the whole country.
- Mixing up states. Some websites list codes that do not match other sources. If two directories disagree, confirm with NIPOST.
- Leaving out the phone number. For Nigerian deliveries, a reachable phone number matters as much as the postcode.
Frequently asked questions
What is the postal code for Nigeria?
There is no single code for the whole country. Nigeria uses six-digit NIPOST postcodes that differ by area. For example, Ikeja in Lagos is 100001 and Garki in Abuja is 900001.
What is the Nigeria ZIP code?
Nigeria’s ZIP code is the same as its postal code: a six-digit number for your area. Enter the code for your own city or district.
Is there a 5-digit Nigeria ZIP code?
No. Nigerian codes are six digits. If a form only accepts five digits, make sure Nigeria is selected as the country, or contact the merchant rather than inventing a code.
How do I get my postcode?
Ask your nearest NIPOST post office, check two postcode directories for your LGA and town, or look at official letters sent to your address.
What does the first digit of a Nigerian postcode mean?
It shows which of the nine postal regions the address is in. For example, 1 is the Lagos region, 5 covers Port Harcourt and 9 covers Abuja.
What is the postal code for Ikeja?
The Ikeja head office code is 100001. Lagos codes run from 100001 to 102361, so other Lagos districts have their own numbers.
Related guides
- Postal code for Nigeria: state-by-state ZIP codes
- Nigeria ZIP code: your complete guide
- Calabar postal codes
- Osogbo postal code guide
- Owerri North postal codes
Sources: Postal codes in Nigeria (Wikipedia, citing NIPOST); zipcode.com.ng; postalcodes.com.ng; postalcode.ng; zipcode.ng; NIPOST website. All checked 28 September 2026. Confirm important codes with NIPOST. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
