The Senate on Tuesday advanced a bill to establish a single, toll-free national emergency number for Nigeria, aiming to streamline response to crises across the country.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS),” seeks to replace Nigeria’s current patchwork of emergency lines with a simple, three-digit number accessible to all citizens.
Senator Yar’adua Musa (Katsina Central), sponsor of the bill, said the law would consolidate scattered helplines into a single platform, improving coordination among police, fire services, hospitals, and other first responders.
He cited examples from the UK (999), the US (911), and India, noting their effectiveness in saving lives.
“The multiplicity of emergency numbers—especially in cities like Lagos—creates confusion and slows down response times. A unified system will address this,” Musa said.
Supporters, including Senators Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Tahir Monguno (Borno North), argued the reform would enhance security and encourage citizens to report incidents without barriers.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin praised the initiative, calling it a “major step toward improving Nigeria’s emergency response system.”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Communications for review, with a report expected in four weeks. If enacted, the Nigerian Communications Commission will regulate the system, coordinate response agencies, and guarantee nationwide access.
