Federal Government Targets Employing Youths as Fire Fighters to Address Unemployment

The Federal Government aims to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment among youths by employing them as fire fighters. Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized that the hiring process is delayed by the need to enact new laws modernizing fire fighting in Nigeria. According to the minister, the country's current population of just over 6,000 federal fire fighters is among the lowest in the world, with the United States employing over a million fire fighters. The minister called for the Federal Fire Service (FFS) to evolve beyond mere fire combating to forecasting dangers and preventive measures.

Key Takeaways:

• The Federal Government seeks to employ youths as fire fighters to address unemployment, but the process is delayed due to the need for new laws modernizing fire fighting in Nigeria.
• Nigeria has just over 6,000 federal fire fighters, making it one of the countries with the lowest number of employed fire fighters in the world.
• The United States has over a million fire fighters, including employed and volunteers.
• The Federal Fire Service (FFS) needs to migrate from corrective activities to proactive and preventive measures, saving lives, property, and millions of naira.
• The FFS should collect information across Nigeria and prioritize the health and safety of its personnel.
• The service will need to work closely with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for security cover.

Statistics:

• Nigeria has just over 6,000 federal fire fighters.
• The United States employs over a million fire fighters, including employed and volunteers.
• The Federal Fire Service (FFS) saved 1,096 lives, made 111 successful rescues, and saved over N300 billion in property in the first and second quarters of 2023.

Sources:

• Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
• Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Mr. Jaji Abdulganiyu
• Data Repository Centre (FFS)