Posted by Chinenye on Wed 09th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Nigerians may soon have just one number to call whenever danger strikes.
(President Bola Ahmed. Photo by CNN)
Nigeria's government has ordered relevant agencies to create a detailed plan for rolling out the 112 emergency number across the country.
The government has set up a committee with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant agencies to finalise the plan and operating procedures.
Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the directive at a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
The government wants the committee to use global best practices and produce a clear roadmap.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the committee needs to make real progress so the work matters and stressed that resources will be provided once the initiative starts operating.
The 112 number is meant to replace the current fragmented emergency lines that slow down response times.
It will be a single toll-free number citizens can call during fires, accidents, medical emergencies or security problems.
Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu said the Nigeria Police Force fully supports adopting 112 as Nigeria's unified emergency number.
Olatunji Disu said from an operational standpoint, it is an important step to give citizens a simple and reliable way to get emergency help.
He explained that people facing attacks, accidents, fires, medical emergencies or kidnappings often struggle to know which agency to call, and one number should solve that problem.
Personal Assistant to the President on e-Governance Lydia Aina said emergency response in Nigeria is split across many agencies, systems and jurisdictions, making everything fragmented and uncoordinated.
Lydia Aina said the goal is to move from fragmentation to a fully integrated national system.
She said the focus is on the system, people, agencies and standards that make the number work when citizens dial it.
Lydia Aina said six immediate priorities have been identified including establishing clear governance structures showing who is responsible for what.