The federal government has cautioned against complacency in homes, markets, offices, and public spaces, warning that fire disaster do not discriminate but only obey the laws of science and negligence.
It, however, warned Nigerians to replace wishful thinking with practical action—incorporating safety designs into building plans, checking gas cylinders, switching off electrical appliances when not in use, installing smoke detectors, ensuring clear escape routes, and adhering strictly to safety standards.
Speaking Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Fire Safety Week, titled: “Building a Culture of Fire Safety Across Nigeria: Overcoming the ‘Not My Portion’ Mentality”, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Samuel Olumode Adeyemi, said the consequences of fire outbreaks are often devastating, irreversible, and monumental.
According to the FFS boss, fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
We must replace wishful thinking with practical action—incorporating safety designs into building plans, checking gas cylinders, switching off electrical appliances when not in use, installing smoke detectors, ensuring clear escape routes, and adhering strictly to safety standards.
He said: “For decades we have observed a common but dangerous attitude: the belief that fire disasters only happen to others. This mindset—often summarised as “it is not my portion”—has encouraged complacency in homes, markets, offices, and public spaces. The truth, however, is that fires do not discriminate. They obey only the laws of science and negligence, and when they occur, the consequences are often devastating, irreversible, and monumental.
“Government functionaries at national and subnational levels must also abandon the “Not My Portion” mentality by embracing safety as a fundamental pillar of economic protection and national sustainability.
“We must begin to see more functional fire hydrants on our streets, deliberate integration of fire safety into national security architecture, and the restoration of the pride of place of Fire Services across Nigeria.
“This behavioural shift—individually and collectively—is what will shape the new Nigeria we envision: a nation where no life is lost to preventable fire incidents.
In alignment with His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and under the clear, progressive, and creative guidance of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Federal Fire Service under my leadership will continue to modernize operations.”
Olumode revealed that his leadership will deploy technology for early detection to improve response time, strengthen personnel through improved welfare and focused, contemporary capacity-building, and deepen nationwide community engagement.
“We shall radically reform the Service to provide the right level of safety cover required for the realization of the President’s one-trillion-naira economic base plan.
“For the first time in the history of our dear country, during this Fire Safety Week, our gallant officers across the federation will conduct school safety enlightenment programmes, market inspections, community drills, industrial risk assessments, and public demonstrations on fire prevention and emergency response.
“We are also strengthening partnerships with ministries, departments, agencies, professional bodies, and private sector stakeholders. A culture of fire safety cannot be built by the Service alone; it requires the collective will of government, institutions, communities, and individuals.”
The opening ceremony features lecture sessions that expand on the theme and inspire participants to rise to the occasion in line with the Service’s mandate for the week.
