The Senate on Tuesday pushed forward the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS) Establishment Bill, 2025, passing it through its second reading and setting the stage for what lawmakers described as a long-overdue overhaul of Nigeria’s emergency response architecture.
The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua of Katsina Central, seeks to institutionalise a uniform, toll-free, three-digit emergency number that will be available in every state of the federation.
Yar’adua, while leading the debate on the bill, told his colleagues that Nigeria urgently needs a coordinated mechanism to respond to emergencies ranging from security threats and fire outbreaks to medical and disaster incidents.
According to him, the NETS initiative “will ensure a uniform, accessible and timely response system for all Nigerians,” noting that the current fragmented emergency channels across government agencies have contributed to avoidable delays and loss of lives.
He explained that the dedicated emergency line would function similarly to globally recognised systems such as 911 in the United States and 112 in the European Union, enabling citizens to connect quickly to responders from a single point.
A central feature of the bill is the designation of the Nigerian Communications Commission as the regulatory authority that will oversee the service.
Under the proposed framework, the NCC will coordinate the telecommunications infrastructure needed for a seamless interface between callers and emergency responders.
Supporters of the legislation argued that empowering the NCC would “strengthen coordination in emergency response and ensure compliance among service providers,” thereby eliminating the confusion created by multiple disconnected numbers currently in use.
The bill received overwhelming support across party lines, with senators describing it as crucial at a time when national security challenges and disaster incidents are on the rise.
The Senate thereafter referred the bill to the Committees on Communications and National Security and Intelligence for further legislative work.
Senate Reconstitutes Security and Other Key Committees
In a separate development during the same plenary, the upper chamber announced sweeping changes in the leadership and composition of several of its standing committees.
Naijaonpoint reports that the reconstitution followed through on an earlier promise by the Senate to reorganise the Committee on National Security and Intelligence in response to emerging security concerns across the country.
The announcement was made by the Senate Selection Committee, chaired by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who told his colleagues that the fresh assignments were necessary to strengthen parliamentary oversight over critical areas of governance.
Under the new arrangement, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi of Kebbi State has been named Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
Until this appointment, Abdullahi chaired the Committee on National Planning. His new role comes after Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi State was removed from the same committee last week.
Buba, however, has been reassigned as Chairman of the Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry, a development that Akpabio described as part of ongoing efforts to place senators in positions where their expertise and experience can be most effective.
Another significant change is the appointment of Senator Mustafa Musa from Yobe State as the new Chairman of the Committee on National Planning, taking over from Senator Abdullahi.
Akpabio also announced an adjustment in the Committee on Air Force following the indisposition of its former chairman, Senator Akwashiki.
The Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu of Enugu State, who previously served as the committee’s deputy chairman, will now serve as acting chairman.
Senate leadership explained that the reshuffle was aimed at improving oversight functions and ensuring that the legislature responds more effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges.
According to Akpabio, the reconstitution reflects the chamber’s commitment to “enhance coordination and improve its capacity to address emerging national security realities.”
The changes take immediate effect as the Senate continues its legislative duties ahead of further deliberations on the emergency toll service bill and other national priorities.
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