The Federal Government has announced plans to establish functional fire stations in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria to improve fire prevention, emergency response, and the protection of lives and public assets within the education sector.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Adeyemi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the decoration ceremony of newly promoted senior officers at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Adeyemi, the initiative is being pursued through collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and will cover universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
“Through strategic engagement with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, plans are underway to establish functional fire stations within public tertiary institutions across Nigeria, in order to safeguard lives and protect national investments in education,” Adeyemi said.
He explained that the project forms part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Federal Fire Service for improved efficiency, sustained operational readiness, and effective public safety delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
Adeyemi noted that fire prevention remains a core mandate of the Service, adding that strengthening emergency preparedness in public institutions would significantly reduce fire incidents, losses, and response time.
“Prevention is central to our mandate, and improved preparedness within public institutions will greatly reduce fire risks and associated losses,” he said.
Speaking on the promotion of officers, the Controller-General said a total of 2,620 personnel were elevated after a rigorous and transparent process conducted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board.
“Promotion in the Federal Fire Service is neither automatic nor accidental. It is the result of years of dedication, repeated assessments, performance reviews, and institutional scrutiny,” Adeyemi stated.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained support for security and emergency response agencies, and urged the newly promoted officers to view their advancement as a call to greater responsibility.
“Your new ranks demand stronger leadership, discipline, sound judgment, and integrity in the discharge of your duties,” he added.
Many public tertiary institutions currently lack dedicated fire stations or fully equipped emergency response units, often relying on external responders who face delays due to distance, traffic, or limited resources.
The planned initiative is expected to enhance safety on campuses and ensure better protection of public investments in the education sector.
