A new partnership between the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and Nigeria’s Federal Fire Service (FFS) will train 7,400 Nigerians in fire prevention and basic emergency response, in what authorities describe as one of the nation’s largest community safety initiatives.
The programme was unveiled in Abuja on Monday, with FFS spokesperson Paul Abraham confirming that 200 trainees would be selected from each of the 36 states as well as from the Federal Capital Territory. The trainees will be equipped with skills in early detection, home and market fire prevention, and first response techniques.
Participants will also be tasked with serving as local fire safety ambassadors, spreading awareness in their communities to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Tony Elumelu, speaking during the partnership launch, highlighted the need to educate vulnerable communities, noting that thousands of homes and markets lack access to structured fire prevention knowledge. He said practical training at household and community levels would help prevent tragedies and improve national resilience.
FFS Controller General Samuel Olumode described the initiative as a “milestone for proactive fire management,” thanking the foundation for supporting a community-driven model that follows international best practices. He assured that the training would be delivered professionally and transparently, with measurable outcomes across all regions.
