In a renewed commitment to safeguard Nigeria’s educational infrastructure and strengthen institutional resilience against fire disasters, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has reaffirmed its partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) during a courtesy visit to the Fund’s headquarters at No. 6 Zambezi Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

During the visit, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi Samuel, FCNA, ACTI, described TETFund as one of the Service’s most strategic partners and commended the Fund for its transformative role in advancing tertiary education across Nigeria. He applauded TETFund’s consistent interventions in providing modern infrastructure, funding research, promoting staff development, and supporting innovation in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.

Mr. Samuel noted that TETFund’s mandate to support public tertiary institutions through targeted funding has significantly enhanced teaching and learning environments, expanded research opportunities, and contributed to national human capital development. He further lauded the Fund’s visionary approach to education financing, which he said has elevated standards and improved global competitiveness within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Highlighting the need to protect these vital investments, the Controller General emphasized that the rapid expansion of TETFund assisted projects calls for deliberate measures to integrate effective fire prevention and protection systems in educational facilities. He reiterated the FFS’s readiness to collaborate closely with TETFund to ensure the protection of lives, property, and critical assets within beneficiary institutions.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of fire incidents recorded in tertiary institutions between 2024 and 2025, Mr. Samuel underscored the urgency of proactive collaboration to prevent future occurrences. To this end, he sought TETFund’s approval for the FFS to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits on existing and upcoming projects across tertiary institutions, aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and recommending technical solutions to enhance safety standards.

The Controller General also proposed the inclusion of fire safety education and awareness programmes within campus activities to promote prevention and preparedness among students and staff. He further appealed for TETFund’s support in strengthening the Fire Service’s training schools and research centres to build capacity and foster innovation in modern fire management techniques.

As a preventive measure, Mr. Samuel requested the establishment of dedicated fire stations within tertiary institutions nationwide. He explained that these stations, to be manned by trained Federal Fire Service personnel and equipped with modern facilities, would ensure timely and effective emergency response during fire incidents.

In his response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono, commended the Federal Fire Service for its proactive initiative and reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to integrating safety and risk management into all its interventions. He emphasized that TETFund’s core mandate, which includes funding research, upgrading infrastructure, modernizing curricula, and building institutional capacity, aligns with national goals of quality education and sustainable development.

Arc. Echono acknowledged the critical importance of improving fire safety in tertiary institutions and confirmed that at least one fire station would be established in each institution as part of TETFund’s collaborative efforts with the Federal Fire Service. He noted that the initiative would significantly boost emergency preparedness and safeguard TETFund’s investments nationwide.

The meeting also reaffirmed the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies and explored new areas of collaboration in training, research, fire prevention, and emergency management.

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