FG Moves To Roll Out 112 As Nigeria’s Single Emergency Number
By Emmanuel Daniji
Nigerians could soon have just one number to call when they need urgent help, as the Federal Government moves to roll out 112 as the country’s single universal toll-free emergency number.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed relevant government agencies and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive operational roadmap for the nationwide implementation of the emergency number.
The directive was given on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting on the National Emergency Number 112 Project.
The Federal Government has also constituted a committee comprising the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to finalise the roadmap and standard operating procedures for the system.
The documents are expected to be presented for formal endorsement by the National Economic Council (NEC).
The move follows the recent approval by NEC of 112 as Nigeria’s single universal toll-free emergency number, replacing the multiple emergency lines currently operated by different agencies.
The government said the unified system is intended to remove confusion and bureaucratic delays that can arise when citizens are faced with emergencies and are unsure which agency to contact.
Under the proposed system, a person facing an armed attack, road accident, fire outbreak, medical emergency, kidnapping or another life-threatening situation would only need to remember one number.
Shettima urged members of the committee to develop a clear and effective implementation plan based on global best practices, stressing the importance of ensuring that the new system works efficiently when Nigerians need it most.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the Nigeria Police Force fully supports the adoption of 112 as the unified national emergency number.
Disu noted that in an emergency, determining which agency to call can become an additional problem for a person already in danger.
He said a single number should be capable of connecting citizens to the appropriate emergency response agency, regardless of the nature of the crisis.
For someone under attack, trapped in an accident, witnessing a fire or dealing with a medical emergency, the priority should be getting help quickly rather than searching for different telephone numbers.
Earlier, the Personal Assistant to the President on e-Governance in the Office of the Vice President, Mrs Lydia Aina, said Nigeria’s emergency response system currently operates across several agencies, systems and jurisdictions.
She explained that this has created fragmentation in the way emergencies are received, coordinated and responded to.
According to Aina, the objective of the 112 project is to move the country from the existing fragmented system to a coordinated response mechanism and eventually a fully integrated national emergency framework.
The committee is now expected to work out the operational details, including the standard procedures for receiving emergency calls, coordinating the relevant agencies and ensuring that responses reach citizens as quickly as possible.
If successfully implemented nationwide, the 112 system could provide Nigerians with a simpler and more direct way of seeking help during some of the most critical moments of their lives.
