The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, has unveiled a Medical Intervention Scheme and increased the Service’s interest-free facility from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 as part of efforts to improve the welfare of officers and men.

Adeyemi announced the initiatives on Tuesday during the inauguration of a Quarter Guard at the Federal Fire Service National Headquarters in Wuse, Abuja, saying the reforms were introduced shortly after he assumed office to enhance the wellbeing of personnel.

He said staff welfare has remained a major focus of his administration, stressing that he was determined to improve the working and living conditions of firefighters across the country.

“One of the commitments I made to my officers and men was to prioritise the welfare of our workforce,” he said.

The Controller-General disclosed that he declined a planned grand reception organised in his honour by friends and associates both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, choosing instead to redirect the funds to support firefighters.

According to him, the money was used to procure mattresses and other essential items for personnel serving across the country.

“I had to turn down a beautifully crafted grand reception by my friends both at home and in the diaspora. The funds were then used to buy mattresses and other items to support firefighters across Nigeria,” he said.

Adeyemi explained that the newly introduced Medical Intervention Scheme was designed to ease the financial burden of healthcare on officers and men of the Service by subsidising medical expenses.

“I also initiated the Medical Intervention Scheme where officers and men under my hand got medical intervention to subsidise medical expenses,” he said.

He added that the Service had expanded its interest-free loan scheme, increasing the maximum loan amount from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000.

“The interest-free loan increased from Three Hundred Thousand Naira to Five Hundred Thousand Naira, amongst others,” he stated.

The Controller-General said the welfare initiatives had boosted morale within the Service, describing the workforce as one of the most motivated in the country.

He noted that the Quarter Guard inaugurated on Tuesday was voluntarily funded and constructed by officers without any directive from the management, describing the gesture as a reflection of their confidence in the current leadership.

“Little did I know that these packages were a door to the heart and soul of my workforce, which has translated into one of the most motivated workforces in Nigeria and my bragging right,” he said.

Describing the development as unprecedented, Adeyemi said the officers’ decision to execute the project demonstrated their commitment to the vision of the Service.

“For the first time in the history of our Service, officers have chosen to leave a lasting legacy, not because they were instructed to do so, but because they believe in the vision and direction of the Federal Fire Service,” he said.

He also directed the Chairman of the Controller-General’s Awards Committee, DCG M.A. Tambari, to document the Quarter Guard initiative and other outstanding contributions by personnel nationwide for formal recognition.