The Federal Government has appealed to wealthy Nigerians, philanthropists, corporate organisations and business leaders to invest in the establishment of fire stations across the country, stressing that fire prevention and emergency response should not be left entirely to government agencies.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Adeyemi Samuel Olumode, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a One-Day National Stakeholders’ Summit on Fire Safety, held under the theme, “Building a Resilient Fire Service for the 21st Century.”
Olumode said expanding the number of fire stations and ensuring that they are strategically located would bring emergency services closer to residents and help reduce the amount of time required to respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.
He explained that the growing population of Nigerian cities and communities, coupled with increasing commercial and industrial activities, made it necessary to strengthen the country’s firefighting infrastructure.
According to him, government alone cannot provide all the resources required to establish and maintain fire stations in every community that needs one.
He therefore called on individuals, community associations, foundations, companies and other organisations with the financial capacity to support the development of fire stations as part of their contribution to public safety.
The Controller-General cited the Offa Descendant Association Fire Station, Oyo Town Fire Station, Idanre Fire Station, Bonny Island Fire Station and Kugbo Fire Station as examples of successful initiatives driven by individuals, communities and organisations.
He said the establishment of such facilities should not be viewed simply as charitable donations, but as meaningful investments in the protection of lives, homes, businesses and other valuable assets.
Olumode noted that the closer a fire station is to a community, the greater the possibility of firefighters arriving at an emergency before a fire causes extensive damage.
He also urged state governments and local authorities to identify areas with inadequate access to emergency services and work with the private sector to bridge the existing gaps.
The summit also provided an opportunity for the Federal Fire Service to assess its progress since Olumode assumed office as Controller-General on August 14, 2025.
He noted that the event marked exactly one year since he took over the leadership of the Service, describing the anniversary as an opportunity to review the work carried out over the past 12 months.
Among the achievements recorded during the period, Olumode disclosed that 40 firefighting appliances had been rehabilitated, while two modern firefighting appliances were supplied to improve operational capacity.
The Service also received more than 2,000 pieces of personal protective equipment for firefighters, an intervention expected to improve the safety of personnel who routinely operate in dangerous environments.
Olumode further disclosed that more than 700 cadet officers had received basic firefighting training and were subsequently deployed to various commands across the country.
He said the recruitment, training and deployment of personnel remained essential to ensuring that fire stations were adequately staffed and capable of responding to emergencies at all times.
The Federal Fire Service has also been working to expand its specialised operational capabilities.
According to Olumode, firefighters have undergone counter-terrorism training through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the armed forces.
He said the training was part of efforts to prepare personnel for the changing nature of emergencies and the need for firefighters to operate effectively in complex and potentially dangerous environments.
The Controller-General also spoke about the ongoing upgrade of the National Fire Academy.
He expressed optimism that the academy would become the best firefighter training institution in Africa when the ongoing work is completed and the facility is reopened.
Olumode said improving the quality of training available to firefighters was crucial to building a modern and professional emergency response service capable of meeting international standards.
Another major development announced at the summit was the induction of 37 Public Relations Officers representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
The Controller-General described the exercise as a landmark achievement for the Federal Fire Service because it brought together its communication officers from across the country under a structured professional development programme.
He explained that the initiative went beyond the presentation of certificates, saying it was designed to improve how the Service engages Nigerians and communicates during emergencies.
Olumode said fire service personnel responsible for public communication must understand strategic communication, crisis communication, media relations, stakeholder engagement, public education and reputation management.
He added that the spread of misinformation during emergencies had made professional communication even more important.
According to him, a fire incident is not merely an operational emergency because the way information is communicated to the public can influence the effectiveness of rescue efforts and the level of confidence Nigerians have in emergency responders.
He stressed that public trust remained an important component of the Federal Fire Service’s ability to protect lives and property.
The Controller-General also acknowledged the contributions of organisations supporting fire safety initiatives across Nigeria.
He commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for its partnership with the Fire Service on fire safety in tertiary institutions, saying stronger preventive measures were needed to protect students, staff and school infrastructure from avoidable fire incidents.
He also appreciated the Tony Elumelu Foundation for collaborating with the Service on fire safety preparedness training for 7,740 Nigerians.
The initiative, he said, is aimed at expanding fire safety knowledge among ordinary citizens, with a broader target of reaching 10 people in every local government area across the country.
Olumode also recognised the support of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Rightangle PR in strengthening the professional communication capacity of the Federal Fire Service.
He extended his appreciation to government institutions, private-sector partners and media organisations for their contributions to the Service’s efforts to improve public safety.
While seeking greater investment in fire infrastructure, the Controller-General also reminded Nigerians that members of the public have important responsibilities during emergencies.
He urged motorists to immediately create a clear path for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles whenever they encounter them on the road.
He also advised residents to stay away from unnecessary crowds at fire scenes, noting that congestion can prevent firefighters from accessing affected buildings and delay rescue operations.
Nigerians were further encouraged to share only verified information with emergency responders and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports during crises.
Olumode maintained that improving fire safety in Nigeria would require a collective approach involving government, communities, businesses, civil society organisations and individual citizens.
He said stronger investment in fire stations, better-trained personnel, modern equipment, public education and effective communication would collectively improve the country’s ability to prevent and respond to emergencies.
The Federal Fire Service, he added, would continue to pursue partnerships and initiatives capable of strengthening its operational capacity while encouraging Nigerians to take fire prevention and emergency preparedness more seriously.
