The Federal Fire Service (FFS) on Wednesday decorated 2,620 newly promoted officers during a ceremony held at its headquarters in Abuja.
It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public safety, operational readiness and professionalism nationwide.
The decoration followed a merit-based promotion exercise conducted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) in collaboration with the Army Resource Centre, which highlights the Service’s focus on discipline, competence and accountability in career advancement.
A breakdown of the promotion shows that five officers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Controller of Fire (DCF), eight to Controller of Fire (CF), 103 to Chief Superintendent of Fire (CSF), 86 to Superintendent of Fire (SF), 1,912 to Assistant Superintendent of Fire I (ASF I), 152 to Assistant Superintendent of Fire II (ASF II), and 440 to Assistant Inspector of Fire (AIF)—bringing the total number of promoted officers to 2,620.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Engr. Olumode Samuel Adeyemi described the occasion as “a moment of affirmation, recognition and reflection,” stressing that promotion in the Service is earned, not given.
“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. Your new rank is proof that the Service has found you worthy of greater trust and higher responsibility,” Adeyemi said.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support for security and emergency response institutions, noting that such backing has strengthened national resilience.
The CG also commended the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the CDCFIB, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for what he described as purposeful leadership, strategic guidance and insistence on accountability and performance management.
Adeyemi acknowledged the Board Secretary and members of the CDCFIB for their professionalism and commitment to merit-based advancement.
While reflecting on his tenure, he recalled that he assumed office on 14 August 2025, bringing nearly two decades of frontline firefighting, emergency response and administrative experience from both the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service.
“My focus from day one has been to reposition the Federal Fire Service for efficiency, sustained operational readiness and effective public safety delivery, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration,” he stated.
He outlined several reforms and achievements recorded within a short period, including morale-boosting tours of fire stations in the FCT to directly engage personnel and assess operational realities.
According to him, these engagements exposed critical infrastructural gaps, some of which have since been addressed.
On welfare, the CG disclosed that the Service approved and disbursed financial support to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as personnel injured while serving.
He added that the interest-free welfare loan scheme was reviewed upward from N300,000 to N500,000, alongside the distribution of palliatives to ease economic pressures on officers.
In strengthening operational capacity, Adeyemi said 40 refurbished, state-of-the-art fire appliances were deployed to commands nationwide.
He also revealed that over 700 trainees are currently undergoing intensive fire and emergency response training in Jos, Plateau State, while additional specialised training was conducted at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, under the Exercise Haske Biyu programme to enhance tactical competence and inter-agency collaboration.
He noted that leadership development was also prioritised through a five-day executive training programme for senior and mid-level officers.
The Fire CG noted that fire prevention remains central to the Service’s reforms, leading to the inauguration of a Public and Private Building Audit Taskforce to identify safety gaps across facilities nationwide.
He added that collaboration with State Fire Services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders has significantly improved coordination and joint response capability.
He further disclosed ongoing plans, through engagement with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), to establish functional fire stations in public tertiary institutions across the country, while a partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation will see 7,400 Nigerians trained in basic fire safety and prevention.
The CG also highlighted robust public engagement initiatives, including the 2025 National Fire Safety Week, the nationwide Harmattan Fire Safety Campaign, and a virtual town hall meeting that connected citizens at home and in the diaspora with the Service.
On institutional reforms, Adeyemi said the Service reviewed its Public-Private Partnership arrangements, signed a performance bond in line with the Ministry of Interior’s performance management system, and concluded the promotion exercise being celebrated.
He also defended his December 17, 2025 directive of “no leave, no holidays” during the festive period, describing it as a strategic decision necessitated by public safety concerns.
“Fire does not recognise public holidays or celebrations. That decision ensured readiness, and it paid off. Our officers responded swiftly to multiple incidents across the country, saving lives and properties worth billions of naira,” he said, commending officers for their discipline and sacrifice.
Addressing the newly promoted officers, Adeyemi urged them to see their new ranks as a call to higher standards.
“Your decoration is not merely a reward for past service; it is a call to stronger leadership, deeper discipline, clearer judgment and unwavering integrity. Lead by example, respect the chain of command, embrace innovation and think beyond routine,” he charged.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the CDCFIB, Maj. Gen. A. M. Jibril (Rtd.), congratulated the officers, noting that promotion comes with increased responsibility, trust and integrity tests.
“Elevation is not by mistake. You are expected to prove yourselves, think outside the box and bring new ideas that will move the Fire Service to the next level,” Jibril said, while urging the Controller-General to continue pushing for modern firefighting equipment to address longstanding operational challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the newly decorated officers, Controller of Fire, Sunday Musa expressed gratitude to the President, the Minister of Interior, the CDCFIB and the leadership of the Service for the morale-boosting promotion.
“This ceremony is not only a celebration of promotion but a reaffirmation of trust and higher expectations. We pledge our unwavering commitment to duty and to supporting the vision of a modern, professional and service-driven Federal Fire Service,” Musa said.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, heads of sister security agencies and stakeholders.
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