Fire Service unveils mandatory fire warden training for organisations

The Federal Fire Service has launched a nationwide mandatory Fire Warden Training and Certification Programme for organisations that receive an average of 50 or more people daily, as part of efforts to strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness across Nigeria.

The service announced the initiative in a statement released on Friday and jointly signed by the Commandant of the National Fire Academy, Assistant Chief Fire Commander (ACF) Umetali Peter, and the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Pilgrims Integrated Management Consult Ltd. (PIMC), Mr Ukpola Okereke Chinedu.

According to the statement, the programme is being implemented in collaboration with Pilgrims Integrated Management Consult Ltd. and is designed to improve Nigeria’s fire safety culture by equipping organisations with trained in-house fire wardens who will serve as first responders during fire emergencies.

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

It added that investigations have shown that the absence of trained emergency responders within facilities often leads to delayed responses, poor evacuation procedures, avoidable injuries and extensive damage to property.

Under the new programme, organisations covered by the policy are required to nominate one fire warden for every 50 staff members, occupants, students, worshippers, customers or average daily users of their facilities.

The Federal Fire Service stated that all nominated personnel must undergo the prescribed training and obtain official certification from the agency.

Training begins 31 August

According to the statement, registration for the programme has commenced, while the first phase of training is scheduled to begin on 31 August 2026, at designated training centres across the country, starting with Lagos.

The service warned that organisations that fail to comply with the directive could face sanctions under the Federal Fire Service Act.

According to the statement, non-compliant facilities may be subjected to legal penalties, including the possible sealing of premises considered unsafe for public use.

The Federal Fire Service emphasised that fire safety is a collective responsibility, stressing that workplaces, educational institutions, business premises and other public facilities require trained in-house emergency responders capable of taking immediate action during the critical early stages of a fire incident.

It noted that prompt intervention within the first few minutes of a fire often determines whether a minor incident is successfully contained or escalates into a major disaster.