● Senate begins deliberation on establishing a uniform, toll-free emergency number nationwide
● Bill aims to harmonise multiple helplines into a single, easy-to-remember number like 112
● Proposal expected to improve emergency response, public safety, and communication across Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has commenced consideration of a bill proposing a single, toll-free national emergency number for citizens across all states.
The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS) to Provide Uniform, Accessible and Rapid Emergency Response Through a Dedicated Toll-Free Number Nationwide, to Empower the Nigerian Communications Commission as the Regulator and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB 402)”, was debated during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, representing Katsina Central.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Senator Yar’adua said the law would merge Nigeria’s existing multiple emergency helplines into a simple, three-digit number, such as 112 or an alternative to be agreed after public consultation.
He noted that countries like the UK and US have improved emergency outcomes with unified numbers such as 999 and 911, while India implemented a similar system in 2014.
“The number would provide a one-stop shop for receiving distress calls from the public and dispatching them to the appropriate agencies,” Yar’adua said.
He added that the system would automatically route calls and texts to the nearest response centre, leveraging the widespread use of mobile phones in Nigeria.
Supporting the bill, Senator Ali Ndume described the initiative as “timely, very important, and urgently needed,” noting that it would strengthen the country’s security architecture and enhance public reporting of criminal activities.
READ ALSO: Senate Moves To Classify Kidnapping As Terrorism, Backs Death Penalty For Offenders
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, also backed the proposal, saying it would provide citizens with a simple and obstruction-free channel to report suspicious activities.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, presiding over the session, described the bill as a “wonderful arrangement” to assist Nigerians during emergencies.
The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Communications, which is expected to report back within four weeks. If passed, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will regulate the system to ensure nationwide access to emergency services.
