The Federal Government has intensified efforts to establish 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency telephone number, directing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to develop a comprehensive implementation framework for its nationwide rollout.
The directive was issued by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a meeting with officials of the NCC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of plans to create a unified emergency response system capable of connecting Nigerians to police, fire, ambulance and disaster management services through a single toll-free number.
According to the Vice President, the framework should provide a clear roadmap for coordinating federal, state and local emergency response agencies to ensure the seamless implementation of the initiative. He stressed that close collaboration between the NCC and NEMA is critical, citing the emergency management agency’s expertise in disaster response, relief and rehabilitation.
Shettima also assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would mobilise the necessary funding for the project through the National Economic Council (NEC) and strategic partnerships with the private sector. He further called for the support of state governors and emergency service providers to guarantee the success and sustainability of the initiative.
Earlier, NCC Governing Board Chairman, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, disclosed that the Commission has already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country to support the national emergency response system. He noted that the next phase of the project would require stronger commitment from state governments to maintain the infrastructure and ensure effective coordination among all emergency response agencies.
Olorunnimbe emphasised that the unified emergency number would only achieve its objectives if every agency, including the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services and NEMA, works together to ensure distress calls receive prompt attention.
The National Economic Council recently approved the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s unified emergency number, with a multi-agency implementation committee expected to oversee the nationwide rollout as part of broader efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety.
FG Directs NCC, NEMA To Develop Framework for 112 National Emergency Number Rollout
