By Toochi Ejiofor
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to adopt 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, with plans to engage state governors and emergency response agencies on its nationwide implementation.
The move follows a recent meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The latest development comes weeks after the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by the Vice President, approved adopting 112 as the country’s national emergency number across all levels of government and relevant agencies.
According to the Federal Government, the initiative aims to create a more coordinated emergency response system by replacing multiple emergency hotlines with a single, easy-to-remember number that Nigerians can dial during emergencies.
To drive the rollout, the NEC has approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee, with programme coordination led by the Office of the Vice President and the NCC.
Today, Nigerians often have to remember different emergency numbers depending on whether they need the police, fire service, ambulance or another emergency agency. In critical situations, that confusion can cost valuable time.
The proposed 112 system is designed to simplify that process by providing a single point of contact for emergencies. Once fully implemented, callers will be connected to the appropriate emergency service based on the nature of the incident.
The initiative is expected to cover emergencies such as road traffic accidents, medical emergencies, fire outbreaks, crimes in progress and other situations requiring immediate assistance. It also aims to reduce delays caused by bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensuring that people in distress receive a faster and more coordinated emergency response.
While the Federal Government has approved the adoption of 112, implementation will require coordination between the Federal Government, state governments, telecommunications operators and emergency response agencies.
State governors and emergency response agencies have been urged to strengthen collaboration and support the rollout of the 112-emergency system to ensure faster emergency response nationwide.
