The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards streamlining the country's emergency response system. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the upper legislative chamber began the second reading of a groundbreaking bill that proposes the establishment of a single, toll-free emergency contact number for the entire nation.
Consolidating Scattered Helplines
The proposed legislation, officially titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS),” seeks to end the current confusing array of state and agency-specific emergency numbers. Sponsored by Senator Yar’adua Musa representing Katsina Central, the bill envisions a unified three-digit platform that would replace the multiple helplines for police, fire services, hospitals, and other critical responders.
During the debate, Senator Musa highlighted the inefficiency of the present system. He pointed out that Nigeria currently operates numerous emergency contacts, which vary across different states and even for specific issues like domestic violence and child abuse. “This multiplicity of numbers, particularly in major cities such as Lagos, creates confusion and dangerous delays during emergencies,” he argued.
Learning from Global Best Practices
The bill's sponsor drew inspiration from successful models around the world to bolster his argument. He cited the long-established 999 system in the United Kingdom, launched in 1937, and the ubiquitous 911 service in the United States, operational since 1968. More recently, India adopted a single emergency line in 2014.
“Emergency numbers like 911 in the United States and 999 in the UK have saved countless lives by simplifying access to emergency services,” Senator Musa stated, emphasizing that Nigeria's high mobile phone penetration, now approaching 90%, provides the perfect infrastructure for a similar unified system.
Senators Rally Behind Improved Security and Communication
The proposal received strong backing from several senators who linked it directly to the nation's security challenges. Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South voiced his support, connecting poor communication channels between the public and security agencies to ongoing criminal activities. “If we do this, we will be enhancing our security architecture and contributing significantly to solving the criminalities affecting the country,” he asserted.
Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North) also endorsed the bill, stressing the practical difficulties citizens face when trying to report incidents under the current fragmented system.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended the initiative, describing it as a major leap forward in improving Nigeria's emergency response capacity. Following the debate, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Communications for further scrutiny. The committee has been given four weeks to report back to the full chamber.
How the Proposed System Would Work
If enacted into law, the NETS legislation would fundamentally change how Nigerians access help in crises:
- Calls or text messages to the new national number would be automatically routed to the nearest operational response centre.
- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would be empowered to regulate the entire system.
- The NCC would coordinate all emergency response agencies to ensure seamless integration.
- The law mandates nationwide access, promising a faster and more reliable means for citizens to seek assistance in critical situations.
This legislative move represents a potential landmark shift in public safety infrastructure, aiming to provide a clear, memorable, and efficient lifeline for all Nigerians during emergencies.
