The federal government is set to implement 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, with plans to engage governors and emergency responders across the country.

According to a statement on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesman for Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the meeting was held between a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission, led by the chairman of its board, Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, and Mr Shettima at the presidential villa on Tuesday.

The move comes days after the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President, approved adopting 112 as the country’s unified emergency number across all levels of government and relevant agencies.

The vice-president, while addressing the delegation, directed that a roadmap be developed to ensure the nation adopts a single, unified emergency number, in line with global best practices.

Mr Shettima further assured the delegation that the project would be sustained, noting that the required funding would be mobilised through the NEC and the private sector. He also called for high-level engagement and commitment from emergency responders to drive the successful implementation of the 112 initiative.

Mr Olorunnimbe earlier briefed Mr Shettima on the progress made toward adopting the 112 emergency number. He added that the chairman of the NCC board informed the vice-president that by leveraging technology, the board has established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres nationwide.

According to him, the action now needs greater commitment from governors across the country to provide the necessary support and maintain the infrastructure the commission has put in place to ensure that the centres function optimally.