A groundbreaking initiative is underway to provide approximately 6,000 Nigerians with specialized training as Fire Extinguisher Servicing Vendors (FESV). This vital skill set not only boosts their employability but also strengthens the nation’s overall safety and security.

This pioneering program is a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership. Strategic appointments—such as Dr. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo as Minister of Interior—have already begun yielding impressive results, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transformative change.

Developed by the National Fire Extinguisher Control (NFEC) in collaboration with the Federal Government, the project targets multiple objectives. It aims to curb the activities of counterfeit importers and illegal manufacturers, promote public education on proper fire extinguisher use, and enhance national security. In doing so, it is expected to generate job opportunities in servicing, distribution, and pre-enforcement data gathering.

Beyond creating employment, the program seeks to plug economic loopholes and boost internally generated revenue (IGR) by regulating fraudulent servicing vendors and tracking extinguishers that fail at the point of use.

The 6,000 Nigerian youths trained as FESVs will be strategically deployed to service fire extinguishers booked by FRSC/FFS teams and vigilant citizens. Additionally, they will act as sales agents for manufacturers and importers under the NFEC aggregator program.

This initiative also plays a critical role in preventing catastrophic incidents—such as petroleum tanker crashes—by ensuring that the appropriate size and type of extinguisher are used to mitigate petrol fires and avert explosions.

A recent visit to the Ministry of Interior Joint Service Department and the N-Alert technical office confirmed the Benue State Executive Governor’s claim that over 2,000 youths were employed as Pre-Enforcement Data Collectors (PDC) in 2024—a successful proof of concept. With more than 70,000 buildings already slated for joint enforcement by the Federal Fire Service, State Fire Service, SON, and NSCDC, expanding this program nationwide could create over 100,000 jobs and generate more than 500 million naira annually for each state through taxes, levies, and penalties.

Given that over 50% of Nigerian youths are unemployed or underemployed, this government-led plan to create sustainable employment opportunities is a welcome development. With the administration’s unwavering commitment, Nigerian young people can look forward to a brighter, more secure future.

A highly reliable source from the Controller-General’s office of the Federal Fire Service and project manager Messer of 2TOC Solutions Ltd confirmed that preparations are in full swing for the public announcement of training sessions for interested candidates. Initially, these youths will bear their own training costs; however, project managers are actively reaching out to organizations and philanthropists to subsidize expenses for qualified yet financially challenged candidates. Additionally, consultations with fintech firms are planned to further empower these youths via the NFEC platform, with updates on the training registration portal to follow once it officially launches.