Nigerian Senate is considering a bill seeking to establish a uniform, toll-free national emergency number for citizens across the country aimed at strengthening the country’s emergency response architecture.

A toll-free number is a phone number that allows callers to make calls without being charged, as the recipient pays for the call.

The proposed legislation is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS) to Provide Uniform, Accessible and Rapid Emergency Response Through a Dedicated Toll-Free Number Nationwide.

“This is to Empower the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as the regulator and for related matters, 2025 (SB 402)”.

Leading the debate on the second reading of the bill, the sponsor, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua explained that the proposed law would harmonise Nigeria’s numerous emergency numbers into one easily memorable three-digit number.

This is such as 112, or an alternative agreed upon after the public hearing.

He noted that emergency numbers globally, such as 999 in the UK (introduced in 1937) and 911 in the United States (established in 1968), have saved countless lives by simplifying access to help in life-threatening situations.

India’s unified emergency number, he added, became operational in 2014.

However, he said, Nigeria currently operated multiple helplines across states for the police, fire service, ambulance services, domestic violence, child abuse, and disaster response agencies.

He added that Lagos alone had several toll-free emergency numbers linked to different agencies, a situation senators described as confusing and counterproductive during emergencies.

The bill, Yar’adua explained, would ensure that calls or text messages sent to the national emergency number automatically route to the nearest operational emergency response centre, leveraging the fact that nearly 90 per cent of Nigerians use mobile phones.

In his contribution, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) described the bill as “timely, very important, and urgently needed.”

He emphasised that one of the biggest challenges contributing to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity was the lack of a coordinated and effective communication system between citizens and security agencies.

“If we do this, we will be enhancing our security architecture and contributing significantly to solving the criminalities affecting the country,” Ndume said, urging rapid passage and implementation.

Also supporting the bill, Sen. Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno) said unified communication channels were essential in a period marked by “grave security challenges across the country.”

He said that while security agencies consistently encourage citizens to report suspicious activities, the government must provide a simple, accessible and obstruction-free avenue for such reports.

“This bill gives muscular expression to the need for the general public to report what they see.

“A dedicated toll-free national line would eliminate barriers created by the current multiplicity of emergency numbers”

In his remarks, Jibrin Barau, deputy Senate President, who presided over the session, thanked the sponsor and contributors, commending the initiative as one that would “truly help the people of this country once implemented.”

The bill was thereafter referred to the Senate Committee on Communications for further legislative action to report back within four weeks.

Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has been honoured with the Best in Technology for Development award at the 2025 edition of the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), held in Lagos at the weekend.

For its work executing the vision of Airtel Africa Foundation locally, Airtel Nigeria received nominations in two highly competitive categories: Best Company in Environmental Stewardship and Best in Technology for Development. Highlights of the nominations included Airtel’s long-standing commitment to digital inclusion through investments in programmes such as the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative.

The SERAS, now in its 19th year, is noted to be Africa’s most consistent platform for recognising excellence in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. This year’s ceremony brought together top organisations committed to improving lives, protecting the environment, and supporting national development.

While acknowledging the progress of sustainability efforts in Africa, SERAS Founder, Ken Egbas, applauded Airtel for championing sustainable development across the continent.

Egbas said, “This year’s record number of entries once again demonstrates just how far the sustainability movement has advanced across Africa. Businesses, governments, and non-profits are no longer treating sustainability as a side initiative but as a core pillar of growth, competitiveness, and long-term legacy. With leading organisations such as Airtel committing to not only doing the work but also telling the stories, the future looks even more promising.”

Airtel Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 SERAS reflects its leadership in technology-driven empowerment, with the 3MTT sponsorship, for example, resulting in the training of 25,000 young Nigerians across 46 Local Government Areas while the Reimagine Education partnership with UNICEF has connected 942,670 public school pupils in 1,268 schools to digital learning.

Reacting to the award, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman, Airtel Africa Foundation, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to digital inclusion and national development.

Dr Ogunsanya said, “This award strengthens our resolve to keep driving meaningful change through innovation and improved access for Africans. Technology remains one of the most powerful tools for social and economic transformation, and we are proud to contribute to Nigeria’s progress by ensuring that more people, communities, and institutions can benefit from the opportunities it creates.”

Commenting on the win, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the organisers and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustainability.

“We are thankful to the organisers of the SERAS awards and accept this honour as a confirmation that our contributions in communities across Nigeria are making a notable impact. To us at Airtel, sustainability is never just a box to tick; it is a long-term responsibility that we are pleased to assume,” he said.

Airtel Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 SERAS extends its leadership in technology development and environmental stewardship. The company continues to champion digital inclusion, youth empowerment, education, and green initiatives that support Nigeria’s long-term development goals.

Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a high-profile dinner in Lagos, drawing corporate leaders, diplomats, and state officials to honour a quarter-century of robust bilateral economic relations.

L-R: Prince Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan, Former and 14th president and Chairman of the Council of the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC); Dr. Ije Jidenma, Chairman of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC); and Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria at the Nigeria and South Africa Chamber of Commerce 25th Anniversary, in Lagos, Nigeria.

This milestone event, themed “Building Together,” served as a powerful testament to the resilience and deepening economic bond between Africa’s two largest economies.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose address was delivered by the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Mendebem, hailed the NSACC as a vital foundation for bilateral economic diplomacy.

He specifically emphasised the work of the Lagos State Government in promoting economic development and the Chamber’s crucial role in facilitating trade, investment, and market guidance, which has benefited South African enterprises operating within Lagos.

The Governor then issued a strategic call to action, urging the business community to pivot towards transformative investments in key emerging sectors.

These sectors, including manufacturing, fintech, entertainment, and green energy, represent the future of economic growth and diversification.

Taking the podium, the Chair of the NSACC, Dr. Ije Jidenma, framed the Chamber’s 25th anniversary as an acknowledgement of the maturity and strength of the Nigerian-South African economic bond.

“This 25-year milestone shows that despite the ups and downs, Nigeria and South Africa want to work together.

“We must go beyond perception and narrative; our people want collaboration,” she said.

Dr. Jidenma clarified that this milestone was less of a commemoration and more of a forward-looking approach towards achieving greater impact in Nigerian-South African relations.

She acknowledged the significant contributions of founding members and corporate partners, whose commitment sustained the institution through political and economic turbulence.

Looking ahead, Dr. Jidenma articulated a strategic plan centred on building trust and ensuring the NSACC makes a profound impact on the bilateral commercial relationship over the next five years.

Prof. Bobby Moroe, the South African Consul-General in Lagos, expressed that the Chamber’s silver jubilee was a cause for excitement, noting its timely alignment with 31 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Prof. Moroe offered high praise to the NSACC for successfully “holding the fort” for 25 years, ensuring commercial relations were effectively harnessed even under difficult continental circumstances.

He took the opportunity to highlight the immense opportunity presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

In his closing remarks, he strongly encouraged business leaders in the room to leverage their combined strengths and the structures of the NSACC to push forward the agenda of continental economic integration.

A central feature of the evening was the prestigious awards ceremony, which celebrated individuals and organisations instrumental in strengthening Nigeria-South Africa ties.

Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, had the honour of presenting the awards, and MTN won the award for Exceptional Partnership

The evening concluded with high-level networking, reinforcing the spirit of continental brotherhood and shared optimism for a prosperous, integrated African economy as the NSACC embarks on its next 25 years of partnership and progress.