The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s unified national emergency number, in a major step to strengthen coordinated response to disasters and security incidents across the country.
The decision was taken at the 157th NEC meeting held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Council also approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee to be jointly coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to drive the rollout and standardisation of the emergency response system nationwide.
Addressing council members, the Vice President stressed that the reform was aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays in emergency situations, insisting that citizens require immediate response rather than administrative bottlenecks during crises.
“This is not only a technical reform. It is a test of the state’s humanity. In moments of fire, accident, robbery, medical emergency, flood, violence or panic, citizens do not need bureaucracy. They need response,” Shettima said.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that while the 112 emergency number already exists, the priority now is to ensure proper coordination, institutional ownership, public awareness and trust in the system.
(The Nation)
