Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Control Initiative
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Background

In response to escalating national security threats, including the use of fire extinguishers as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in terrorist attacks, the 2018 Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) Alert (NO:A12/1171/18) on explosions of defective extinguishers in storage, and the alarming rise in illicit activities (e.g., drug trafficking via modified cylinders), the Nigerian government launched a transformative initiative. A critical stakeholders’ conference organized by the Ministry of Interior and Federal Fire Service (FFS) identified systemic sabotage by illegal vendors, including:

  • Use of cassava flour instead of approved Dry Chemical Powder (DCP).
  • Underfilled extinguishers and repurposing of expired cylinders.
  • Indiscriminate importation and poor servicing practices.

This collaboration, involving over 15 agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), led to the creation of the Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Control (NFEC) under the National Fire Data Repository Center (NFDRC). The initiative adopts a technology-driven, private-sector-led Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and guided by the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

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Mission

To eradicate substandard fire extinguisher practices, enhance national security, and ensure every fire extinguisher in Nigeria meets the highest safety standards through robust regulation, innovation, and public awareness.

Vision

To position Nigeria as a global leader in fire safety by domesticating fire extinguisher manufacturing, fostering public-private collaboration, and deploying cutting-edge technology to combat threats.

Official Lead NGO

African Land Transport Crime Prevention Initiative (ALTCPI)

See website

Key Benefits

  • National Security: Prevent misuse of extinguishers for terrorism and illicit activities.
  • Public Safety: Ensure extinguishers function reliably during emergencies.
  • Economic Growth: Promote local manufacturing and job creation via the Importation Quota Program (IQP).
  • Transparency: Provide citizens with tools to verify extinguisher authenticity (e.g., QR codes, validation portals).
  • Accountability: Eliminate illegal vendors through coordinated enforcement and the Vendor Aggregator Platform (VAP).

Enforcement and Implementation Team

A multi-agency framework ensures seamless execution

1Federal Coordination

  • Ministy of Interior: Oversees inter-governmental coordination.
  • Federal Fire Service (FFS): Manages manufacturing codes and import quotas (IQP).
  • Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC): Enforce Gas explosion prevention system (GEPS) using I-Ears and provide Arms protection for firemen and SON.
  • SON & : Enforce standards and intercept illicit goods.
  • Customs (NCS): Monitors importation
  • NEMA: Coordinate SEMA/FEMA

2State-Level Action

  • SEMA coordinate State Fire Services: Regulate grassroots vendors via the VAP.
  • NSCDC & Police: Joint operations against counterfeit products.

3Technology Partner

  • 2TOC Solutions Ltd: Manages NFDRC infrastructure, data analytics, and validation tools.

4Cross-Agency Collaboration

  • Federal Fire Service / FRSC: Enforces vehicle extinguisher compliance.
  • SEMA Coordinate State Fire Service / SON / FFS / Police / NSCDC: Enforces building fire extinguisher compliance.

Project Implementation Stages

1

Stakeholder Engagement (Phase 1)

Workshops for fuel stations, gas vendors, and market safety teams.

Public sensitization on “Fire First Aid” and validation protocols.

2

Workforce Development (Phase 2)

Training enforcement teams on IoT-enabled monitoring and compliance checks.

3

Joint Agency Operations (Phase 3)

Nationwide raids on illegal vendors; SON-led certification drives.

4

Flag-Off & Scale-Up (Phase 4)

Full deployment of IQP and VAP; launch of public validation channels.

Achievements So Far

Public-Private partnership process successfully completed

Federal Executive Council approval secured

Secured operating award and contract

Taken over infrastructure successfully

Successful development of NFEC software infrastructure

Secured Fire Extinguisher servicing vendors Aggregator gateway

Successfully conducted proof of concept in Benue state

Secured all State and FCT market & transport unions' endorsement

Successfully secured NGOs collaboration

Secured FFS & FRSC collaboration for joint enforcement

Secured NEMA approval to coordinate state emergency agencies

Implementation Strategy

Sector-Specific Workshops: Target high-risk industries to ensure compliance.

Long-Term Enforcement Teams

Sector-Specific Workshops

NEMA coordinating State/FCT Fire Service + NSCDC + SON: Building safety enforcement.

Long-Term Enforcement Teams

FFS + FRSC + Police: Road and vehicle compliance.

Expanded View

Legal Framework

Fire Extinguisher enforcement legal framework ensures multi-agency collaboration to uphold fire safety standards nationwide.

Key Enforcement Mechanisms

  • Inspections: FFS, SON, and FRSC conduct routine checks in buildings/vehicles. While SON, Federal and State Fire Service conduct building checks with NSCDC providing Arms protection.
  • Certification: SON enforces compliance via SONCAP and NIS standards.
  • Prosecution: Nigeria Police Force, FRSC and NSCDC may penalize non-compliance under criminal/traffic laws and protection of Public National Assets.
  • Disaster Preparedness: NEMA, NSCDC, SEMA guidelines indirectly reinforce fire extinguisher use through public awareness campaigns.

Call to Action

Join us in building a safer Nigeria. Verify your extinguisher’s authenticity today via the NFEC portal. Report suspicious activities to the 24/7 enforcement hotline.