Lagos Saved ₦118bn In Property, Rescued 1,900 Lives As Sanwo-Olu Expands Fire Service

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Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, has said the state government recorded significant gains in emergency management last year, with responders rescuing over 1,900 people and saving property worth an estimated ₦118 billion, while unveiling major investments in fire service infrastructure, equipment and personnel to further strengthen disaster response.

The Governor said this on Monday at the opening of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference 3:0 with the theme; “Preventing the Preventable: Strengthening Fire Safety in Buildings and Business Hubs,” held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represent by Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, his Deputy disclosed that the state government has added 11 new fire stations, commissioned 62 modern firefighting vehicles, rebuilt the Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, and recruited 150 additional firefighters currently undergoing training at the upgraded Fire Academy, as part of efforts to boost emergency management in the State.

He said that the state government would continue to strengthen its emergency response capacity while placing greater emphasis on prevention, enforcement, public education, and strategic partnership.

According to the Governor, “The State has intensified enforcement of fire safety regulations through stricter inspections and implementation of the Fire Safety Levy. The compliance must go beyond obtaining certificates to ensuring that safety equipment and systems remain fully functional”, he said,

He noted that the interventions have expanded the State’s fire station network to 29, with additional stations under construction in Yaba, Ikotun and Oworonshoki, pointing out the effectiveness of the State’s coordinated emergency response architecture.

The Governor further stated that the introduction of the Fire Marshal Programme, which trains volunteers across homes, schools, markets, offices, worship centres and factories to identify fire risks early, coordinate evacuations and work closely with emergency responders before disasters escalate.

He therefore reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining investment in people, equipment and systems capable of protecting lives and property, calling on property developers, business owners and residents to prioritise prevention over regret.

Olawale Rauf Age-Suleiman, the Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, in his remarks, reiterated the Lagos State House of Assembly’s dedication to promoting safety, describing it as a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders.

He stressed the need for the conference to produce practical and lasting solutions to the challenge of fire disasters, urging participants to translate deliberations into actionable outcomes.

Olugbenga Oyerinde, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, in his welcome address, noted that the conference challenges the government to move beyond responding to emergencies and focus on understanding the causes of fire incidents, applying lessons learned, embracing innovation, and implementing preventive measures that reduce risks before disasters occur.

Oyerinde highlighted that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved properties valued at over ₦11 billion within the last year, noting that the remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, professionalism, and continuous investment of the Lagos State Government in strengthening emergency response capacity, improving fire prevention strategies, expanding public education, and modernising fire and rescue operations.

Similarly, in his remarks, Vincent Effiong, Chief Executive Officer, Sadeco, affirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening fire safety and emergency response through innovation, technology and collaboration, highlighting the importance of leveraging technology, promoting community engagement and fostering cooperation among stakeholders to improve early fire detection, emergency preparedness and coordinated response to incidents.

He stressed that sustaining a strong safety culture requires continuous capacity building, adherence to global best practices, and strategic partnerships between government, the private sector, and emergency responders.

Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, the Controller General, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in her presentation, tagged Case Studies and Lessons Learned: Lagos Fire Incident Statistics Trends and Corrective Actions- Sanwo-Olu’s 7-Year Scorecards, lauded the unwavering commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to strengthening emergency response and fire safety across the state.

Adeseye compared the state of the Fire and Rescue Service before the administration came into office in 2019 with its current capacity, describing the transformation as remarkable and driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, equipment, personnel development and operational efficiency.