The Federal Government has stepped up plans to implement a unified 112 national emergency number, with Vice President Kashim Shettima directing key stakeholders to fast-track a nationwide rollout in collaboration with state governments and emergency response agencies.
The directive followed a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday between the Vice President and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe.
The move comes days after the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Shettima, approved the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s single emergency telephone number across all tiers of government and relevant agencies as part of efforts to build a more coordinated and efficient emergency response system.
As part of the initiative, NEC also approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee, with the Office of the Vice President and the NCC leading programme coordination.
Speaking during the meeting, Shettima directed that a comprehensive implementation roadmap be developed to ensure Nigeria adopts a single emergency number in line with global best practices.
The Vice President also instructed the NCC to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), citing the agency’s experience in disaster management, emergency response and rehabilitation.
He assured the Commission that the initiative would receive sustained support, adding that funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council and private sector partnerships.
Shettima further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among governors and emergency response agencies to guarantee the success of the project nationwide.
Earlier, Olorunnimbe briefed the Vice President on progress made towards implementing the initiative, disclosing that the NCC had already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country through the deployment of modern technology.
He commended Shettima for championing the project and for pledging to engage critical stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to ensure its successful implementation.
The NCC chairman, however, said the success of the initiative would depend largely on the commitment of state governments and emergency agencies to maintain the infrastructure and respond promptly to distress calls.
“In addition, we also need the full commitment of all the response agencies because if someone calls for police intervention and, for some reason, the call does not reach the police, that person will not receive the help they need.
“So, we need commitment at every level of all response agencies—from top to bottom—including the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services across the states, and, at the national level, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“Everyone is expected to buy into this initiative and recognise its importance. It is a patriotic duty to our country to ensure that anyone in distress can get the help they need in a very swift manner,” Olorunnimbe said.
