Senate proposes single nationwide toll-free emergency number

The Senate has advanced a major reform aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s emergency response system with the consideration of a bill seeking to create a unified, toll-free national emergency number accessible to all citizens. The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS)” scaled second reading during Tuesday’s plenary. Sponsor of the bill, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), said the aim is to unify Nigeria’s numerous emergency helplines into one three-digit number—such as 112—after consultations at the public hearing. He explained that Nigeria’s fragmented system, with multiple numbers for police, fire service, ambulance services, domestic violence units, child protection centres, and disaster agencies, creates confusion for citizens seeking urgent help. Under the proposed NETS framework, calls and text messages will be routed automatically to the nearest emergency response centre, supported by Nigeria’s nearly 90 per cent mobile phone penetration. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended the bill, saying it will significantly improve public safety once implemented. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Communications, which is expected to report back within four weeks.

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