Olumode’s Reform Drive Reshapes Federal Fire Service — CWAI Applauds Progress

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has commended the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for providing strategic leadership that is consolidating reforms and repositioning the agency for greater efficiency and national impact.

In a statement issued in Kaduna by its Director of Media and Stakeholder Engagement, Mahmud Bello, CWAI said the current FFS leadership has demonstrated strong commitment to sustaining developmental programmes while improving institutional performance.

The group highlighted key achievements under Adeyemi’s leadership to include personnel promotions, enhanced public awareness campaigns, improved firefighting sensitisation nationwide, strengthened fire safety policies, and boosted staff morale.

It also noted the expansion of public-private partnerships and increased collaboration with disaster management agencies as critical steps toward safeguarding lives and property.

CWAI observed that since Adeyemi assumed office, the Federal Fire Service has witnessed improved productivity, accountability, and policy direction, leading to what it described as a “remarkable transformation” within a short period.

According to the statement, the service has recorded milestones such as prompt payment of salaries and allowances, upgraded training facilities, and expanded capacity-building initiatives.

It added that officers now participate in local and international courses, with recent cadet graduates from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) training school identified as part of efforts to groom future leaders.

The organisation further praised the FFS for strengthening strategic partnerships with key institutions, including NEXIM Bank, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Atomic Energy Commission, and Transcorp PLC. These collaborations, it said, are aimed at improving fire prevention systems, emergency preparedness, and national safety standards.

CWAI also cited the service’s push for integrating fire safety frameworks into critical sectors and its advocacy for specialised emergency response systems in sensitive environments such as nuclear facilities.

In the private sector, the group acknowledged joint emergency drills conducted with Transcorp PLC, which led to the company receiving fire safety certification, as well as ongoing engagements with the BUA Group under the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa initiative to address gaps in Nigeria’s fire emergency infrastructure.

The statement quoted Adeyemi as emphasising the urgency of improving response time, expanding fire station networks, and strengthening emergency medical services, describing them as essential priorities for saving lives.

CWAI further commended the service’s rapid response to emergencies, including a recent fire outbreak at Singa Market in Kano State, noting that such actions reflect operational diligence and proactive leadership.

It also lauded the collaboration between the FFS and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on postgraduate programmes in disaster and risk management, describing it as a significant step toward professionalising the service.

While applauding the agency’s progress, CWAI called for increased budgetary allocation to enable the Federal Fire Service to address challenges such as inadequate fire station coverage, limited equipment, and insufficient emergency response capacity.

The organisation reaffirmed its vote of confidence in Adeyemi’s leadership, citing his discipline, transparency, anti-corruption stance, and engagement with stakeholders as key drivers of the agency’s ongoing transformation.