President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Controller‑General Adeyemi Olumode as the new Controller‑General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), following the upcoming retirement of the incumbent, Abdulganiyu Jaji, on August 13, 2025.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday, July 30, by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril. The announcement was first reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Jaji, who is set to bow out upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 60, was lauded for his dedication and service over the years. Jubril praised Jaji’s leadership and contributions, particularly his efforts toward modernizing fire response infrastructure during his tenure.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Controller-General (DCG) Adeyemi Olumode, as the new Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS),” Jubril stated.
A Seasoned Fire Administrator with Deep Operational Roots
Olumode’s appointment is the culmination of a long, distinguished career spanning more than two decades in fire safety management and administration. Hailing from Kogi State, he began his professional journey in the late 1990s with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service before moving to the Federal Fire Service where he climbed the ranks through merit, leadership, and competence.
He has held various command, operational, and administrative roles across the FFS, with his most recent position being Head of the Human Resources Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Known within the Service for championing officer retraining, national safety awareness campaigns, and the modernization of command structures, Olumode is also recognized for pushing reforms around public fire safety education and regulatory compliance.
“His appointment reflects a commitment to deep institutional knowledge, professionalism, and long-standing service,” a senior FFS official told Premium Times, adding that Olumode has “played a quiet but critical role behind many of the Service’s recent achievements.”
Strategic Relevance and Professional Recognition
Aside from his administrative experience, Olumode holds memberships in multiple professional organizations that reflect his multi-disciplinary expertise. These include the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management, and the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria.
He has also attended command and capacity-building programmes both locally and internationally, gaining exposure to global best practices in fire prevention and emergency response systems.
Analysts say his appointment is likely to bring continuity to ongoing reforms in the Fire Service, especially efforts to decentralize emergency response, invest in equipment upgrades, and digitize risk assessment procedures across state commands.
Challenges and Expectations
Olumode takes office at a time when Nigeria faces increasing fire-related hazards from urban market infernos to industrial accidents and bushfires largely exacerbated by poor safety culture, inadequate infrastructure, and underfunding.
Policy experts urge the incoming CG to prioritize not only rapid response capacity but also long-term fire prevention education and local government-level integration.
A public affairs analyst, Dr. Enitan Okoro, told Channels Television, “This is an opportunity for the new CG to revamp public trust in fire services. Nigerians expect visibility, faster response times, and above all, preventive systems not just reactionary ones.”
Looking Ahead
With this transition, stakeholders within and outside the fire service are hopeful for an era of enhanced professionalism, accountability, and stronger community engagement.
The Federal Government, through the CDCFIB, reiterated that Olumode’s elevation is consistent with the broader reform agenda across Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies, aimed at improving service delivery and efficiency.
Olumode is expected to assume duties officially following the retirement of Jaji on August 13, 2025.
