Nigeria has taken a major step toward improving emergency response, with the National Economic Council approving 112 as the country’s unified, toll-free emergency number.
The decision, reached at the council’s 157th meeting held virtually, is aimed at improving coordination and accelerating response to security incidents, medical emergencies, fires, and natural disasters nationwide.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, said the move is designed to eliminate delays caused by fragmented systems and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“This is not only a technical reform. It is a test of the state’s humanity,” Shettima said. “In moments of crisis, citizens do not need bureaucracy, they need a response.”
As part of the rollout, NEC approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee, with coordination led by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency management framework by improving standard operating procedures, public awareness, institutional accountability, and overall public trust.
Shettima noted that while emergency contact systems already exist, the new focus is on creating a more efficient and integrated structure that ensures quicker and more reliable responses across federal and state levels.
He also highlighted the role of NEC in aligning national and subnational efforts, describing it as a key platform for translating policy into real-world impact under the administration’s development agenda.
The adoption of a single emergency number is expected to simplify access to help for citizens in distress, reduce confusion during emergencies, and improve the effectiveness of response agencies across the country.
