Nigeria’s federal government has deployed more than 700 newly trained firefighters across the country, officials said on Thursday, in a move aimed at strengthening emergency response and improving the protection of lives, property and critical infrastructure.
The firefighters were inducted at the passing-out parade of Regular Course 6 cadet officers in Jos, Plateau State, after weeks of intensive training, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said.
Tunji-Ojo described the deployment as the largest single intake in the history of the Federal Fire Service and said it marked a shift from largely reactive firefighting to a more proactive national safety strategy.
“This passing-out parade will go down as the largest in the history of the Federal Fire Service. It signals a clear shift from reactive emergency response to proactive national safety,” he said, adding that the expansion would improve response times and operational capacity nationwide.
The minister said Nigeria still needed more firefighters, including specialists in emergency medical services, fire inspection and hazardous materials management, to meet international safety standards. He added that public safety remained a national security priority and a key factor in economic growth and investor confidence.
Addressing the newly inducted officers, Tunji-Ojo urged them to uphold professionalism and humility, stressing that leadership was defined by responsibility rather than rank.
“You should proudly wear your uniform, but with a sense of humility and honour,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, retired Major-General Abdulmalik Jubril.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, said the state government would continue to work closely with the Federal Fire Service to reduce fire incidents and protect residents.
Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, said the government was investing in firefighting infrastructure and technology to enhance prevention and response.
He said the new officers underwent months of rigorous training at the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency training camp in Jos and were now fully qualified for immediate deployment in firefighting and rescue operations.
“You now bear the responsibility, authority and honour of the uniform entrusted with safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians,” Adeyemi said.
