The Federal Government is moving to implement 112 as Nigeria’s single nationwide emergency telephone number, a reform aimed at creating a unified and faster emergency response system across the country.
The decision follows the approval of the initiative by the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and marks a significant step towards harmonising emergency communications among federal, state and local emergency response agencies.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima gave the directive during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe.
The Vice President instructed the NCC to develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap for the nationwide rollout of the 112 emergency number and to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to strengthen coordination among emergency responders.
Shettima also said the Federal Government would engage state governors and emergency response agencies to ensure nationwide adoption of the initiative, stressing that collaboration across all levels of government would be critical to its success.
He assured the NCC that the project would receive sustained government backing, adding that the necessary funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council alongside support from the private sector. He further urged emergency response agencies to demonstrate strong commitment to the initiative to ensure Nigerians in distress receive timely assistance.
The adoption of a single emergency number is intended to simplify access to emergency services, replacing fragmented contact systems with one nationally recognised number. If effectively implemented, it is expected to improve response times, enhance coordination among emergency agencies and bring Nigeria’s emergency communications framework closer to international best practices.
