The Lagos State Government has strengthened its emergency response capacity with the induction of 150 newly trained firefighters and the commencement of operations at the new Oworonshoki Fire Station, in a move aimed at improving public safety and protecting lives and property across the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to public safety during the induction ceremony, describing the recruitment of additional firefighters and the expansion of fire service infrastructure as key investments in a safer Lagos.

The newly inducted officers completed a six-month intensive training programme at the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Technical Training Centre in Ikeja. The training equipped them with modern firefighting and rescue skills, earning them the Basic Firefighting Competency Certificate (BFCC), which qualifies them for active field operations.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and a commitment to continuous learning as they begin their field internships.

She reminded the recruits that firefighting demands courage, teamwork and constant improvement to effectively safeguard lives, property and the environment in a rapidly growing city like Lagos.

Adeseye said the latest recruitment marks the third phase of strategic personnel expansion under the Sanwo-Olu administration. She recalled that the state recruited 100 firefighters in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by 435 personnel in May 2022.

The addition of 150 firefighters, recruited in December 2025, brings the total number employed under the current administration to 685.

According to her, the increased workforce will significantly improve the operational capacity of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and enhance its ability to respond swiftly to emergencies across the state.

She also described the operationalisation of the Oworonshoki Fire Station as another milestone in expanding emergency response coverage.

The new facility raises the number of public fire stations built under the Sanwo-Olu administration to 11, in addition to another station operating through a Public-Private Partnership with the Startimes Estate Community Development Association.

Adeseye commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his sustained investment in emergency management, noting that the continuous recruitment of personnel, construction of new fire stations and provision of modern firefighting equipment demonstrate the government’s commitment to building a more resilient Lagos.

She assured residents that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service would continue to provide prompt, efficient and proactive emergency response services while strengthening efforts to protect lives, property and the environment across the state.