Federal Fire Service Flags Off 2026 National Fire Safety Week, Seeks Expanded Rescue Operations
Federal Fire Service Flags Off 2026 National Fire Safety Week, Seeks Expanded Rescue Operations
Federal Fire Service Flags Off 2026 National Fire Safety Week, Seeks Expanded Rescue Operations
The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has commenced the 2026 National Fire Safety Week across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, calling for an expansion of the Service’s operations to cover a wider range of rescue and emergency response services.
The opening ceremony and Stakeholders’ Conference, held on Monday at the Exhibition Pavilion, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, was organised under the theme, “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister said he wanted the Federal Fire Service to respond not only to fire incidents but also to road accidents, medical emergencies, floods, toxic incidents and other disasters. He stressed the need to strengthen the Service’s capacity in urban search and rescue, emergency medical response and other rescue operations.
Tunji-Ojo also called for greater emphasis on fire prevention, community safety, regular fire inspections and enforcement of safety standards. He said rescue operations should become a key part of the Service’s responsibilities, while the FFS should take a leading role in coordinating fire safety policies and standards across the country.
While acknowledging existing legal limitations, the Minister expressed confidence that the issues would be addressed. He also commended the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, CGF Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for his leadership and commitment to developing the Service, describing his appointment as one of the best decisions.
The Minister further unveiled the Federal Fire Service’s multilingual fire safety booklet, translated into indigenous Nigerian languages to make fire safety information more accessible to citizens across the country.
In his welcome address, the Controller-General, CGF Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, highlighted efforts to expand the Service’s fire safety infrastructure through partnerships with TETFund, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Philko Limited. He also acknowledged community-supported fire station projects and the ongoing reconstruction of the National Fire Academy.
The week-long campaign will feature several public awareness activities across the country. These include fire safety sensitisation at motor parks on Tuesday, visits to schools on Wednesday and market sensitisation on Thursday. The activities will conclude on Friday with roadshows across major streets and roads to educate the public on fire prevention and safety.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Board of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd.); the keynote speaker, Brigadier General (Rtd.) Babatunde Solomon Kumapayi; and the Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III.
Representatives of sister security agencies, government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and private sector organisations were also present.
The Federal Fire Service urged Nigerians to participate in the activities lined up for the week, learn basic fire safety practices and make fire prevention part of their daily lives.
Federal Fire Service Flags Off 2026 National Fire Safety Week, Seeks Expanded Rescue Operations
