The Federal Government has begun moves to operationalise 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, with the aim of giving citizens one toll-free line to access emergency assistance across the country.

The development follows the approval by the National Economic Council (NEC) of 112 as the unified emergency number across all levels of government and relevant response agencies.

FG Sets Roadmap for Nationwide Rollout

Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed relevant government agencies and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive operational roadmap for the nationwide implementation of the emergency number.

A committee comprising the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies has been constituted to finalise the roadmap and standard operating procedures.

The plan will subsequently be presented to the NEC for formal endorsement.

One Number for Different Emergencies

Under the proposed unified system, Nigerians would no longer need to determine which emergency agency to contact before seeking help.

The 112 system is designed to provide access to the appropriate response for situations including security incidents, road accidents, fires, medical emergencies, natural disasters and other life-threatening situations.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said the adoption of a single emergency number would provide citizens with a simpler and more reliable way to seek urgent assistance.

FG Seeks Faster Emergency Response

The Federal Government said the initiative is intended to address fragmentation within Nigeria’s emergency response system, where different agencies and jurisdictions have historically operated through separate channels.

At the NEC meeting in April, Shettima said Nigerians facing emergencies needed a rapid response rather than bureaucratic delays. The council consequently approved 112 as part of efforts to create a more coordinated national emergency-response framework.

The government’s latest roadmap is expected to clarify responsibilities among participating agencies, establish operating standards and set milestones for implementation.

NCC Has Established Emergency Communication Centres

The NCC has already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country to support the national emergency response system.

NCC officials, however, have stressed that the success of the initiative will depend on stronger cooperation among state governments and emergency-response agencies.

The commission has also called for the maintenance of communications infrastructure already deployed and greater integration between the police, ambulance services, fire services and disaster-response agencies.

112 Already Exists, But FG Wants a Unified System

Although 112 is not a completely new emergency code in Nigeria, the current reform seeks to make it the single, coordinated national emergency lifeline.

Government officials have acknowledged that challenges including connectivity, management of Emergency Communication Centres and public awareness have affected the effectiveness of the existing system.

A government report earlier in 2026 found that about 80 per cent of states could access 112, while connectivity and awareness remained challenges.

The latest initiative is therefore focused not simply on assigning a number, but on ensuring that calls placed to 112 result in coordinated and timely responses.

Committee to Finalise Implementation

Stakeholders involved in the rollout include the police, NCC, NEMA, FRSC and other emergency-response institutions.

The government says the committee will develop the operational framework and standard operating procedures required to make 112 function as a reliable nationwide emergency service.

Once fully implemented, the system is expected to give Nigerians a single point of contact when they require urgent assistance.

The Federal Government has announced the full automation of the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates, ending the need for applicants to visit the Federal Ministry of Education in person.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the development as part of the government’s wider digital transformation efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the ministry, applicants can now complete the entire credential evaluation and authentication process online through its dedicated platform.

Applicants No Longer Required to Visit Ministry

Under the new arrangement, Nigerians and other applicants seeking academic credential authentication or evaluation will no longer need to travel to the ministry’s offices for physical verification.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the online system is designed to reduce bureaucratic delays, speed up processing and make the service more accessible to applicants both within Nigeria and abroad.

The reform also seeks to improve transparency and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s academic certification system.

How the New Online Verification System Works

Applicants are required to use the ministry’s official credential evaluation and authentication platform to begin the process.

The ministry directed applicants to register and upload the required supporting documents through essverify.education.gov.ng.

For transcript verification, applicants are required to request their institutions to send transcripts directly from official institutional email addresses to the ministry’s designated email channel. This is intended to ensure that academic records are transmitted securely from recognised institutions.

Employers and Institutions Can Verify Qualifications

The ministry said the digital system is not only designed for individual applicants.

Institutions, employers and other authorised stakeholders will also be able to verify academic qualifications through a more structured and reliable process.

According to the government, this is expected to strengthen confidence in academic records while making credential verification more efficient.

FG Highlights Benefits of Digital System

The Federal Government said the transition is expected to bring several improvements, including:

– Faster processing of certificate verification requests

– Reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks

– Greater transparency in credential evaluation

– Improved data management

– Stronger protection of the integrity of academic records

– Easier access for Nigerians and applicants living abroad

The education ministry described the reform as part of its broader effort to use technology to modernise education governance and improve public service delivery.

Ministry Provides Official Contact Details

Applicants have been advised to rely only on the Federal Ministry of Education’s official platform and communication channels when applying for certificate evaluation or authentication.

The ministry provided essverify.education.gov.ng as the official online portal and [email protected] for enquiries in the latest announcement.

The move represents another step towards reducing physical bureaucracy in government services and shifting academic credential verification to a fully digital process.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has recorded a remarkable $1 billion increase in his estimated fortune within 24 hours, pushing his net worth to $32.5 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker.

The latest jump came as investors focused on the planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is expected to open on September 14, 2026.

Dangote’s Wealth Rises 3.3% in One Day

Forbes’ real-time data showed that Dangote’s estimated fortune rose from about $31.5 billion to $32.5 billion, representing a 3.3 per cent increase.

The figure was based on data recorded on Monday, September 7. His wealth had also increased by about $3.3 million on the previous Friday.

The latest gain means Dangote’s fortune has risen significantly since the end of 2025, when Forbes valued it at approximately $25.6 billion.

It is important to note that the $1 billion figure represents an increase in estimated net worth and should not be interpreted as $1 billion in cash income earned by Dangote in one day.

Bloomberg Puts Dangote’s Wealth Higher

Different billionaire wealth trackers currently give different estimates of Dangote’s fortune because they use different methods for valuing publicly traded and privately held assets.

While Forbes’ real-time tracker placed his wealth at $32.5 billion, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index valued it at about $35.5 billion on Monday.

The difference is largely linked to how the two platforms assess Dangote’s private holdings and other assets.

Dangote Refinery IPO Set to Open September 14

The surge in Dangote’s wealth comes as his massive petroleum refinery prepares for a landmark share offering.

The refinery plans to offer 4.1 billion ordinary shares at N525 per share, potentially raising about N2.15 trillion, or roughly $1.6 billion, if fully subscribed.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the offering and registered the refinery’s existing 120.13 billion shares, putting the company on course for what is expected to become Africa’s largest IPO.

The offer is scheduled to run from September 14 to October 13, 2026, according to details reported by Reuters.

Refinery Valuation Put at About $47 Billion

The registration of the refinery’s existing shares implies an equity valuation of roughly $47 billion, based on Reuters’ calculations.

The company plans to use funds from the IPO to support expansion and increase the refinery’s processing capacity from about 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

Reuters reports that the refinery has also unveiled a broader $14.3 billion expansion programme, with completion targeted for 2029.

Why the IPO Matters to Dangote’s Wealth

The public offering could provide investors with a clearer market-based valuation for one of the biggest assets in Dangote’s business empire.

The refinery, which began operations in 2024, has become a major player in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and has expanded its reach into international markets.

Dangote has also expressed plans to attract investors from across Africa, describing the planned listing as an opportunity that goes beyond Nigeria.

With the IPO approaching, investor interest in the refinery has added another layer of attention to Dangote’s already substantial fortune.

Dangote Remains Africa’s Richest Man

The latest figures further strengthen Dangote’s position as Africa’s wealthiest individual.

Earlier in 2026, his fortune had already climbed substantially. Billionaires Africa reported in March that Bloomberg had valued Dangote at $32.5 billion, making him the 64th-richest person globally at the time.

His latest reported wealth increase comes at a significant moment for the Dangote Group, with the refinery IPO expected to attract major attention from Nigerian and international investors.