FG Moves To Operationalise 112 As National Emergency Number

FG Moves to Operationalise 112 as National Emergency Number

The Federal Government has commenced steps to operationalise 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, with plans underway to establish a coordinated system through which citizens can quickly access emergency services. The move followed a directive by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a stakeholders’ meeting on the National Emergency Number 112 Project in Abuja on Tuesday. The government has 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. The committee is expected to develop a comprehensive operational roadmap and standard operating procedures for the nationwide rollout of 112 before the framework is presented to the National Economic Council (NEC) for formal endorsement. The NEC recently approved 112 as Nigeria’s single universal toll-free emergency number, aimed at replacing the multiple and sometimes fragmented emergency response lines currently used across the country. The system is designed to give citizens a simple point of contact when dealing with emergencies such as armed attacks, accidents, fire outbreaks, medical crises, kidnapping and other life-threatening situations. Vice President Shettima urged the committee to base the implementation framework on global best practices and move quickly towards developing a workable system. He also assured stakeholders that resources would be made available to fund the project once the implementation plan becomes sufficiently developed. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu expressed the Nigeria Police Force’s support for the adoption of 112. Disu described the initiative as a significant step towards providing Nigerians with a simple and reliable means of accessing emergency assistance. He noted that people facing emergencies should not have to determine which government agency to contact before receiving help. Under the proposed system, one number would connect callers to the appropriate response agency. The Office of the Vice President said Nigeria’s current emergency response structure involves multiple agencies, systems and jurisdictions, resulting in fragmentation in how emergencies are received, coordinated and handled. The Personal Assistant to the President on e-Governance, Lydia Aina, said the government’s objective is to move towards a fully integrated national emergency response framework. She identified governance as one of six immediate priorities, alongside establishing clear responsibilities and standards to ensure that the emergency number works effectively when citizens dial it. Other agencies that pledged their support include NEMA, the FRSC and the National Orientation Agency. The Federal Government is now expected to finalise the operational roadmap and standard procedures before seeking formal NEC endorsement. If successfully implemented nationwide, the 112 system is expected to make it easier for Nigerians to obtain rapid assistance during emergencies while reducing delays caused by fragmented response channels.