The Federal Government has announced plans to establish functional fire stations across public tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen fire prevention, emergency response, and the protection of lives and national assets in the education sector.

The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Adeyemi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the decoration of newly promoted senior officers of the Service at its headquarters in Abuja.

Adeyemi said the initiative, being pursued through strategic engagement with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, would cover universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.

“Through strategic engagement with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, plans are underway to establish functional fire stations within public tertiary institutions across Nigeria, safeguarding lives and national investments in education,” he said.

He explained that the project formed part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Federal Fire Service for efficiency, sustained operational readiness, and effective public safety delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Adeyemi noted that prevention remained central to the Service’s mandate, adding that improved preparedness within public institutions would significantly reduce fire risks and losses.

Speaking on the promotions, the CG said the ceremony reflected recognition of merit and professionalism, with 2,620 officers elevated after a rigorous and transparent process conducted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board.

“Promotion in the Federal Fire Service is neither automatic nor accidental. It is the outcome of years of commitment, repeated assessments, performance reviews, and institutional scrutiny,” he said.

Adeyemi expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unwavering support for security and emergency response institutions.

He urged the newly promoted officers to see their elevation as a call to higher responsibility, saying their new ranks required stronger leadership, discipline, sound judgment, and integrity.

Many campuses operate without dedicated fire stations or fully equipped emergency response units, relying instead on external responders who often face delays due to distance, traffic, or limited resources.

The current move would help ensure safety and security systems within learning environments and protect public investments.