By Peter.
In a major push to modernise Nigeria’s chaotic emergency response system, the Senate has advanced a landmark bill that will replace the country’s confusing web of helplines with one universal, toll-free three-digit emergency number — most likely 112.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS)”, scaled second reading on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and has now been sent to the Senate Committee on Communications for fine-tuning and public input.
Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), the legislation aims to end the frustration Nigerians face when trying to remember different numbers for police (767 or 112 in some states), fire service, ambulance, NEMA, FRSC, or child protection hotlines during life-or-death moments.
Key highlights of the proposed system:
- One easy-to-remember number (likely 112, already used globally and in parts of Nigeria)
- Calls and SMS automatically routed to the nearest emergency response centre
- Works on all networks, even with zero credit or no SIM
- Leverages Nigeria’s 90%+ mobile phone penetration for nationwide reach
- Integrates police, fire, medical, disaster, and other response agencies under one platform
Speaking on the floor, Senator Yar’Adua stressed that the current fragmented system has cost lives due to delays and confusion. “Nigerians should not die because they dialled the wrong number in an emergency,” he said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, hailed it as a “long-overdue reform” that will significantly boost public safety and response times.
The Senate Committee on Communications has been given four weeks to conduct public hearings and report back — meaning the bill could reach the President’s desk for assent as early as Q1 2026 if it maintains momentum.
If passed, Nigeria will finally join over 70 countries (including the EU, India, South Africa, and UAE) that already use 112 as the universal emergency lifeline.
A small change in digits, a giant leap for saving lives. 🚨
#112Nigeria #NationalEmergencyNumber #SaveLives #NigeriaSenate #PublicSafety #EmergencyReform 🇳🇬
