Fire Service launches mandatory fire warden training for organisations

The Federal Fire Service has unveiled a nationwide mandatory Fire Warden Training and Certification Programme for organisations that receive an average of 50 or more persons daily.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening fire safety and emergency preparedness across the country by equipping organisations with trained in-house fire wardens to serve as first responders during fire emergencies.

The programme was announced in a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by the Commandant of the National Fire Academy, ACF Umetali Peter, and the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Pilgrims Integrated Management Consult Ltd., Ukpola Okereke Chinedu.

The statement read: “In a major step towards strengthening fire safety and emergency preparedness across Nigeria, the Federal Fire Service (FFS), in collaboration with Pilgrims Integrated Management Consult Ltd. (PIMC), has launched the Nationwide Mandatory Fire Warden Training and Certification Programme, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming fire safety culture across Nigeria by equipping organisations with trained In-House Fire Wardens—the first responders to fire emergencies.”

The service noted that fire outbreaks remain one of the leading causes of preventable loss of lives and property across the country.

It added: “Fire outbreaks remain one of the leading causes of preventable loss of lives and property in Nigeria.”

According to the statement, investigations have shown that “the absence of trained emergency responders within facilities often results in delayed response, poor evacuation procedures, avoidable injuries, and extensive property damage.”

The Federal Fire Service said every organisation covered by the programme must nominate one fire warden for every 50 staff members, occupants, students, worshippers, customers or average daily users of its facility.

It stated: “All nominated personnel must undergo the prescribed training and obtain certification from the Federal Fire Service.”

The service announced that registration had commenced, while the first phase of training would begin on August 31, 2026, at designated training centres, starting with Lagos.

It warned: “Facilities that fail to comply may be subject to sanctions as provided under the Federal Fire Service Act, including legal penalties and the possible sealing of facilities found to be unsafe for public use.”

The statement stressed that fire safety required collective responsibility.

It said: “Fire safety is a shared responsibility. Every workplace, institution, business premises, and public facility requires trained in-house emergency responders who can provide immediate intervention during the critical first few minutes of a fire incident.”

The service added that “prompt response during this period often determines whether a minor incident is successfully contained or develops into a major disaster.”

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖