Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that his administration has expanded the state’s emergency response infrastructure with the establishment of 11 new fire stations, the deployment of 62 state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles, the reconstruction of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service headquarters, and the recruitment of 150 additional firefighters currently undergoing training at the upgraded Fire Academy.
The governor also disclosed that emergency response agencies in the state rescued more than 1,900 people and prevented property losses estimated at N118 billion in 2025.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure on Monday at the opening of the third edition of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference in Ikeja, themed “Preventing the Preventable: Strengthening Fire Safety in Buildings and Business Hubs.” He was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
According to the governor, the state government remains committed to strengthening emergency response capabilities while placing greater emphasis on preventive measures, regulatory enforcement, public awareness campaigns and strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He noted that the state had intensified the enforcement of fire safety regulations through stricter inspections and the implementation of the Fire Safety Levy.
“The compliance must go beyond obtaining certificates to ensuring that safety equipment and systems remain fully functional,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor explained that the latest interventions have increased the number of fire stations across Lagos to 29, with additional facilities currently under construction in Yaba, Ikotun and Oworonshoki.
He added that the expansion demonstrates the effectiveness of the state’s integrated emergency management framework.
Sanwo-Olu also announced the introduction of the Fire Marshal Programme, an initiative designed to train volunteers in homes, schools, markets, offices, worship centres and industrial facilities to detect fire hazards early, coordinate emergency evacuations and work closely with professional responders before incidents escalate.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the governor pledged sustained investment in personnel, equipment and emergency response systems.
He also urged property developers, business owners and residents to embrace a culture of fire prevention, stressing that proactive safety measures remain more effective than dealing with the consequences of disasters.
