Lagos Hires 150 New Firefighters to Boost Safety

Lagos State is investing big in protecting its residents, with 150 new firefighters now training to join emergency response teams across Nigeria's largest city.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the recruitment to strengthen the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which serves over 15 million people. The new recruits started intensive training in November 2025 at the upgraded Fire Academy in Ikeja.

Controller General Margaret Adeseye announced the expansion while opening training exercises for the latest squad. She emphasized that these aren't just warm bodies filling positions. The recruits are undergoing a rigorous Professional Basic Firefighting Competency course designed to meet global standards.

This recruitment continues an impressive growth streak for Lagos firefighting. In 2020, as COVID-19 hit, the state brought on 100 new firefighters to bolster emergency response during uncertain times. Then in 2022, Lagos made history with its single largest recruitment ever: 435 firefighters in one shot.

The 2022 expansion came during the Fire Service's 50th anniversary celebration, which showcased just how seriously Lagos takes emergency preparedness. The government commissioned 62 new fire trucks, opened three new fire stations in underserved neighborhoods like Ajegunle and Ebute Elefun, and unveiled an ultra-modern headquarters.

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell a powerful story about prioritizing public safety. In just five years, Lagos has added over 680 trained firefighters to its ranks. That's not counting the new equipment, modern facilities, and upgraded training programs.

For residents in growing neighborhoods, these new stations and personnel mean faster response times when every second counts. The three new stations opened in 2022 brought professional fire response to communities that previously had to wait longer for help.

The investment goes beyond just hiring people. By building a state-of-the-art training academy and requiring global-standard certification, Lagos is creating career firefighters, not just temporary positions. These are skilled professionals who will serve their communities for decades.

As the new recruits complete their training and fan out across Lagos neighborhoods, millions of residents will sleep a little easier knowing help is closer than ever before.