- Senate debates single emergency number bill to unify Nigeria’s helplines.
- Lawmakers say the NETS bill will cut confusion and speed up response.
- Calls and texts will route automatically to the nearest rescue centre.
- Senators argue the emergency number reform will boost national security.
The Senate on Tuesday opened debate on a new bill aimed at giving Nigeria one unified, toll-free emergency number, replacing the confusing mix of state and agency helplines currently in use across the country.
The proposed legislation, known as the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS) Bill, was introduced by Senator Yar’adua Musa of Katsina Central. He argued that Nigeria urgently needs a single emergency platform to improve coordination among police, fire services, hospitals and other first responders.
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According to him, countries that implemented single emergency numbers decades ago are already reaping the benefits.
He said, “Emergency numbers like 911 in the United States and 999 in the UK have saved countless lives by simplifying access to emergency services. Nigeria still operates several helplines, even within the same city, and this causes delays during life-threatening situations.”
Musa explained that residents of major cities, especially Lagos, often struggle to remember the right numbers for fire outbreaks, medical emergencies, domestic violence, or police assistance. The NETS bill seeks to end that confusion.
Under the proposal, every call or text sent to the new three-digit national line will be automatically directed to the closest functioning response centre, ensuring faster action.
Many senators supported the bill, arguing that Nigeria already has the infrastructure to operate a unified emergency channel, with mobile penetration nearing 90 percent.
Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South linked many of the country’s security failures to poor communication between citizens and security agencies.
“If we do this, we will be strengthening our security architecture and reducing the criminalities troubling the country,” he noted.
Similarly, Senator Tahir Monguno of Borno North said the current “multiple emergency numbers” make it difficult for victims to report incidents quickly.
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Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, praised the bill as a forward-thinking effort to modernize emergency response nationwide. The legislation has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Communications, expected to submit its report in four weeks.
If the NETS bill becomes law, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will oversee the system, regulate response centres, and ensure nationwide availability, creating a faster and more reliable lifeline for millions of Nigerians.
