The Federal Government has urged wealthy Nigerians, philanthropists, business leaders and corporate organisations to invest in the establishment of fire stations across the country to strengthen emergency response and protect lives and property.
Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Adeyemi Samuel Olumode, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day National Stakeholders’ Summit on Fire Safety. The summit, held under the theme, “Building a Resilient Fire Service for the 21st Century,” brought together stakeholders to discuss ways of improving fire prevention, emergency response and public safety.
Olumode said firefighting should not be regarded solely as the responsibility of government, stressing that communities and private organisations also had an important role to play. According to him, Nigeria requires more strategically located fire stations to bring emergency services closer to residents and reduce the time required to respond to incidents.
He cited fire stations established through initiatives involving the Offa Descendant Association, Oyo Town, Idanre, Bonny Island and Kugbo as examples of how private and community investment could strengthen public safety. The Controller General described such investments as contributions to the protection of lives and property rather than ordinary philanthropy.
Olumode noted that the summit coincided with his first anniversary in office, having assumed duty on August 14, 2025. He said the period had provided an opportunity to assess developments within the Service, including the rehabilitation of 40 firefighting appliances.
He also listed the supply of two modern firefighting appliances and more than 2,000 pieces of personal protective equipment among the achievements recorded. According to him, more than 700 cadet officers have also received basic firefighting training and have subsequently been deployed across various commands.
The Service, he added, had expanded its specialised capabilities through counter-terrorism training conducted in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the armed forces. Olumode also said work was continuing on the National Fire Academy, which he projected would become Africa’s leading firefighter training institution when it reopens.
The summit also featured the induction of 37 Public Relations Officers representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Olumode described the exercise as historic, saying it was the first time officers from across the country had been brought together under a coordinated professional development and certification programme. He said the initiative was designed to strengthen how the Fire Service communicates with the public, particularly during emergencies.
“This is much more than issuing certificates. We are professionalising the way the Federal Fire Service communicates with Nigerians,” he said.
He explained that the officers would require expertise in strategic communication, crisis communication, media relations, stakeholder engagement, public education and reputation management. They would also need to understand the challenges posed by misinformation during emergencies.
According to him, fire incidents should not be treated merely as operational events because communication can significantly influence public response. He stressed that maintaining public trust was essential to the Service’s ability to protect lives and property.
The Controller General commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for its collaboration with the Service on fire safety in tertiary institutions.
He also acknowledged the Tony Elumelu Foundation for partnering with the Service on fire preparedness training. The programme has trained 7,740 Nigerians, with an eventual target of reaching 10 people in every local government area.
Olumode further appreciated the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Rightangle PR for supporting the Service’s communication development. He also recognised the contributions of government agencies, private-sector organisations and the media to fire safety awareness.
Olumode called on Nigerians to complement the efforts of firefighters whenever emergencies occur. He urged motorists and other road users to provide fire appliances with clear access to affected locations. He also appealed to members of the public to avoid unnecessary crowds around fire incidents, noting that congestion could hinder emergency operations.
The Controller General further urged Nigerians to share only verified information during emergencies to prevent misinformation from creating confusion. He maintained that improving fire safety across Nigeria would require cooperation between government, businesses, communities and individual citizens.
