The Federal Government has moved to streamline emergency response across the country with plans to operationalise 112 as Nigeria’s single universal toll-free emergency number.
The move is aimed at providing Nigerians with faster access to assistance during emergencies, including fires, road crashes, medical crises and security incidents.
Vice President Kashim Shettima directed relevant agencies and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive operational roadmap and standard operating procedures for the nationwide rollout of the emergency line.
A committee comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant agencies has been constituted to finalise the framework.
The roadmap and standard operating procedures are expected to be presented to the National Economic Council (NEC) for formal endorsement.
NEC had previously approved 112 as Nigeria’s single universal toll-free emergency number, replacing the various emergency contact lines currently used by different agencies.
Shettima urged members of the committee to draw from global best practices while developing the framework, stressing the need for a clear and effective system capable of improving emergency response nationwide.
The Vice President also called for significant progress in the implementation process, assuring that resources would be made available once the initiative begins to take visible shape.
Speaking at the meeting, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressed the Nigeria Police Force’s support for the adoption of 112 as the country’s unified emergency number.
