In a major push to curb preventable disasters across the country, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has announced a mandatory Fire Warden Training and Certification Programme targeting all high-traffic organisations.
Facilities expecting an average of 50 or more daily occupants, including businesses, institutions, and places of worship, are required to appoint one fire warden for every 50 personnel, users, or visitors. Under the new directive, every designated warden must be trained and certified by the FFS, with the initial training phase scheduled to kick off in Lagos on August 31.
“Fire outbreaks remain one of the leading causes of preventable loss of lives and property in Nigeria,” the service noted, adding that “prompt response during this period often determines whether a minor incident is successfully contained or develops into a major disaster.”
The joint statement, issued by National Fire Academy Commandant ACF Umetali Peter and Ukpola Okereke Chinedu, Managing Director of Pilgrims Integrated Management Consult Ltd. (PIMC), highlighted that a lack of trained emergency personnel leads to delayed responses, chaotic evacuations, and avoidable casualties.
By embedding trained in-house responders, who act as crucial first line of defence during the vital early minutes of an outbreak, the initiative aims to fundamentally overhaul Nigeria’s emergency preparedness.
Organisations are urged to register immediately, as non-compliance carries severe consequences. Facilities that fail to participate risk legal penalties and total closure under the Federal Fire Service Act if deemed unsafe for public use.