The Lagos State Government has strengthened its emergency management infrastructure with the addition of 11 new fire stations, the deployment of 62 modern firefighting vehicles and equipment, and the recruitment of 150 new firefighters as part of efforts to improve fire safety and emergency response across the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Monday at the opening of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference 3.0, themed “Preventing the Preventable: Strengthening Fire Safety in Buildings and Business Hubs,” held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the governor said the state also rebuilt the headquarters of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and upgraded its Fire Academy, where the newly recruited firefighters are currently undergoing training.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that emergency responders in the state rescued more than 1,900 people and saved property valued at an estimated ₦118 billion in 2025, describing the figures as evidence of the government’s sustained investment in emergency management.
He said the government had intensified enforcement of fire safety regulations through stricter inspections and implementation of the Fire Safety Levy, stressing that compliance should go beyond obtaining certificates to ensuring that fire safety systems remain functional at all times.
According to him, Lagos now has 29 operational fire stations, with additional stations under construction in Yaba, Ikotun and Oworonshoki to further strengthen emergency response coverage.
The governor also highlighted the introduction of the Fire Marshal Programme, an initiative designed to train volunteers in homes, schools, markets, offices, worship centres and factories to identify fire hazards, coordinate evacuations and support emergency responders before incidents escalate.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to investing in personnel, equipment and technology while urging property developers, business owners and residents to prioritise fire prevention.
Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Olawale Rauf Age-Suleiman, described safety as a collective responsibility and urged participants at the conference to develop practical solutions capable of reducing fire incidents across the state.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, said the conference was intended to shift attention from emergency response to prevention through innovation, lessons from previous incidents and improved fire safety practices.
He disclosed that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service saved properties worth over ₦11 billion within the last year, attributing the achievement to continuous investment in emergency response capacity, public education and modern firefighting operations.
Chief Executive Officer of Sadeco, Vincent Effiong, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, the private sector and emergency responders, noting that technology, community engagement and adherence to global best practices are critical to improving fire prevention and emergency response.
Also speaking, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, presented the agency’s seven-year performance scorecard, commending the Sanwo-Olu administration for transforming the service through sustained investment in infrastructure, equipment, manpower development and operational efficiency.
