Desi Elmoye in Abuja
Nigeria Moves to Adopt 112 as National Emergency Number
The Nigerian federal government is taking significant steps to establish 112 as the official national emergency number. This initiative was discussed during a meeting at the State House on Tuesday, featuring a delegation from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) alongside Chief Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, Chairman of the Management Committee, and Vice President Kassim Shettima.
This development follows the recent approval by the National Economic Council (NEC)—also chaired by the Vice President—to adopt 112 as the emergency number for all governmental layers and relevant agencies. This consensus is a strategic move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s emergency response framework, fostering a unified and efficient approach to crisis situations.
In previous sessions, the NEC had sanctioned the setup of a multi-agency implementation committee and a program coordination body, spearheaded collaboratively by the Vice President’s office and the NCC. During the conference, Vice President Shettima urged delegates to devise a comprehensive roadmap for the nationwide adoption of the single emergency contact number, aligning with established global practices.
Vice President Shettima also emphasized the importance of collaboration, directing the NCC to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), given its key role in disaster management, response, and rehabilitation efforts throughout Nigeria. He assured attendees that the project will progress, with necessary funding mobilized through both the NEC and private sector partnerships.
Moreover, Shettima highlighted the need for robust engagement and dedication from emergency responders to ensure the successful rollout of Initiative 112. Earlier in the meeting, Chief Olorunnimbe provided an update on the preparations for the 112 implementation, revealing that the NCC is harnessing technology to establish around 35 Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) nationwide.
Olorunnimbe expressed gratitude to the Vice President for his leadership in this initiative and reassured the committee that stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), would be involved to facilitate its deployment. He reinforced the necessity for greater participation from state governors across Nigeria to support the infrastructure established by the committee, ensuring the ECCs operate effectively.
He further articulated the critical need for collaboration among all responding agencies. Olorunnimbe pointed out that effective emergency response requires seamless communication; if a call for police assistance is not adequately received, it hampers the support necessary for those in need. He urged full participation from all levels—from the Nigeria Police Force and state ambulance services to the national NEMA—stressing that it is a patriotic responsibility to guarantee timely assistance to citizens in distress.
