The Federal Government has approved the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s unified national emergency number, a move aimed at improving emergency response and ensuring faster coordination among security and rescue agencies across the country.
The decision was approved by the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, as part of efforts to establish a single emergency lifeline accessible nationwide.
The new system is expected to replace the current mix of emergency contact numbers used by different agencies, making it easier for Nigerians to seek help during emergencies.
To ensure smooth implementation, NEC also approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation and programme coordination committee to be led by the Office of the Vice-President and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Speaking on the initiative, Shettima said citizens facing emergencies require swift action rather than bureaucratic processes, stressing that a unified emergency number would help eliminate delays and strengthen the country’s emergency response framework.
The adoption of 112 forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government and state governments to harmonise emergency response services and provide Nigerians with a simple, toll-free number that can be used nationwide during accidents, medical emergencies, security incidents and natural disasters.
