FG launches national task force on building safety to curb fire disasters
The federal government has inaugurated a Special Task Force on Public and Private Building Audit, in a drive to strengthen fire safety compliance across Nigeria.
The inauguration, held on Monday at the FFS Headquarters in Abuja, was themed “Strengthening Fire Safety Compliance in Public Buildings: A Call to Action for National Resilience.”
It highlighted the Service’s growing emphasis on proactive fire risk management and the prevention of large-scale disasters.
Olumode Samuel, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), cited recent incidents such as the Afritower fire in Lagos and the series of plaza fires in Abuja as reminders of the urgent need for stricter compliance with safety regulations.
He said the initiative became necessary in light of the increasing frequency of fire outbreaks in major cities.
According to him, the Task Force has been specifically mandated to map public buildings across the country, classify them based on their fire risk levels, assess their compliance with safety standards, and submit detailed recommendations to guide enforcement and policy actions.
“Fire safety is not a choice but a shared responsibility. This initiative is designed to strengthen our collective resilience by ensuring that both public and private facilities meet the minimum safety requirements necessary to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure”, Adeyemi stressed.
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The Task Force, chaired by Bolarinde Muhammed, head of Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement (I.I.E.) Department, includes top officers such as the Deputy Controller of Operations (FCT Command), the Provost Marshal, the National Public Relations Officer, and the Service’s Legal Director, who will serve as the Secretariat.
Adeyemi charged members to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and diligence in the discharge of their duties, emphasising that their work is central to the Service’s mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s built environment.
He also appealed to owners and managers of public and private buildings, including high-rise facilities, to cooperate fully with the Task Force during its nationwide audit exercise, warning that negligence or obstruction would not be tolerated.
