Ibadan Postal Code: What Most People Get Wrong About Oyo State Zip Codes

You're standing in a logistics office in Dugbe, or maybe you're just trying to fill out a stubborn online form that refuses to accept "Ibadan" without a six-digit number attached to it. It’s annoying. You type in 23401 because you saw it on a random blog once, but the package never arrives, or the bank rejects the application.

Here is the truth.

Ibadan doesn't have just one postal code. Actually, the city is far too massive for that. We are talking about the largest city by geographical area in Nigeria. Using a generic code for the entire capital of Oyo State is like trying to find a specific house in Bodija by just pointing at a map of West Africa. It’s not going to work.

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Ibadan is split into 11 local government areas. Each of these—from the bustling markets of Ibadan North-West to the quiet stretches of Oluyole—has its own specific set of digits. If you’ve been using 200001 for everything, you're basically sending your mail to the General Post Office at Dugbe and hoping the postman is a psychic.

Why the Ibadan Postal Code Actually Matters in 2026

We live in a world of hyper-localization. Whether you're ordering a spare part from a vendor in Lagos or waiting for a document from the UK, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) relies on a structured system.

The first three digits of any Oyo State code are 200.

That’s the "dispatch district." Think of it as the entrance gate. The last three digits? Those are the "delivery office." That is the specific shelf where your life’s paperwork sits. If you get those wrong, your stuff enters a logistical black hole.

Honestly, most people confuse postal codes with zip codes. They are essentially the same thing, but "Zip Code" is an Americanism. In Nigeria, we use Postal Codes. And no, +234 is not a postal code. That is a country calling code. If I had a naira for every time I saw someone put +234 in a zip code box, I’d be eating lunch at Agodi Gardens every day for a year.

Breaking Down the Local Government Codes

Ibadan is messy. It's beautiful, but the layout is a labyrinth of ancient "brown roofs" and sprawling new estates. To get your mail right, you have to know which LGA you're actually in.

Let's look at Ibadan North. This is the heart of the city for many. It covers the University of Ibadan, Agbowo, and parts of Samonda. The primary code for the head office here is 200213. But even within Ibadan North, if you are specifically in the University of Ibadan, you might see 200284 used for the post office on campus.

Then you have Ibadan North-East. If you are hanging out around Agodi or Iwo Road, you are looking at 200223. Iwo Road is a chaotic hub, and getting the code right there is the difference between your Waybill arriving at a shop or being lost in the sea of yellow buses.

Ibadan North-West, which handles places like Onireke and Dugbe, uses 200263. This is the commercial nervous system of the city.

The Outskirts: Oluyole, Egbeda, and Ona Ara

As the city expands toward the Toll Gate and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the numbers change.

1. Oluyole Local Government: This is a massive industrial and residential mix. The general code is 200256.
2. Egbeda: If you’re living in those newer estates towards the airport or Gbagi, you need 200246.
3. Ido: This is one of the fastest-growing areas. Think Akala Way and its environs. The code here is 200271.

Don't just guess.

If you're in a place like Akinyele (think Moniya and the train station area), the code is 200285. Using the Moniya code for a delivery in Challenge (which is Ibadan South-West, 200265) is a recipe for a three-week delay.

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The Common 23401 Myth

You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it.

Google "Nigeria Zip Code" and some old website from 2012 tells you it’s 110001 or 23401.

110001 is actually a Lagos code (specifically Ikeja). 23401 isn't even a real NIPOST designated code for Ibadan; it’s a weird hybrid people made up using the country code. If you use it, the automated sorting systems at international hubs like DHL or FedEx might just default your package to the main sorting office in Lagos.

Then it sits there. For weeks.

How to Verify Your Specific Street Code

NIPOST actually has a directory, though it feels like it was designed in the early days of the internet.

The best way to find your code isn't just looking at the LGA. Some streets in Ibadan are so long they practically cross jurisdictions. However, for 99% of your needs—Amazon orders, bank KYC, or Google AdSense verification—the LGA-level code is sufficient.

Specific Areas and Their Digits

• Akinyele: 200285
• Egbeda: 200246
• Ibadan North: 200213
• Ibadan North-East: 200223
• Ibadan North-West: 200263
• Ibadan South-East: 200224 (This is the Mapo, Molete, Kudeti area)
• Ibadan South-West: 200265 (Ring Road, Challenge, Apata)
• Ido: 200271
• Lagelu: 200247
• Ona-Ara: 200243
• Oluyole: 200256

Why E-commerce Sites Reject Ibadan Codes

Sometimes you type in 200265 and the website says "Invalid Zip Code."

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This usually happens because the site expects a 5-digit US zip code. Since Nigeria uses a 6-digit system, the form gets confused.

A pro tip?

Try removing the first zero if the form is strict, or better yet, just ensure there are no spaces. If it asks for a "Province," write "Oyo State." If it asks for "City," write "Ibadan."

It’s also worth noting that many local delivery apps like Gokada or Jumia Food don't really care about the postal code. They use GPS. But for anything coming through the official mail or international couriers, those six digits are your best friend.

The Future of Addressing in Oyo State

The Oyo State government has been making noises about digital addressing for a while. We aren't quite at the "What3Words" level of government integration yet, but the push for better urban planning means these codes are becoming more rigid.

In the old days, you’d just tell a person, "I’m at the house behind the big mango tree near the meat seller."

That doesn't work for a drone delivery or a global logistics chain.

Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Mail to Ibadan

First, stop using "02" or "234" as a prefix in the postal code box.

Second, verify if your recipient is actually in Ibadan or an "outer" town. Places like Ogbomoso (210xxx) or Oyo Town (211xxx) have completely different prefixes. If you send something to Oyo Town using an Ibadan code, it’s going to take a scenic tour of the state before it reaches its destination.

Third, always include a phone number on the package.

In Nigeria, the postal code gets the package to the general area, but the phone call gets it to your hand. NIPOST workers are surprisingly diligent in some districts, but they aren't going to wander through a neighborhood looking for "Flat 4" if the street isn't clearly marked.

Actionable Steps for Your Next Delivery

1. Identify your LGA: Open Google Maps, drop a pin on your house, and see which Local Government Area it lists.
2. Match the code: Use the list provided above to find the 6-digit code for that LGA.
3. Format correctly: Enter the code as a continuous string of six numbers—no dashes, no spaces.
4. Add a landmark: In the "Address Line 2" of any form, add a well-known landmark (e.g., "Opposite Cocoa House" or "Near UI Gate"). This compensates for any minor errors in the postal code system.

If you are setting up a Google My Business account or a Stripe/PayPal account (using the appropriate legal channels, of course), use the 200xxx series. It is the only one that reconciles with global address verification databases.

Getting your Ibadan postal code right isn't just about following rules. It’s about ensuring you’re actually reachable in a city that is growing faster than the maps can keep up with.