Policy, Governance, Standards & Implementation

Building a safer Nigeria, one data point at a time

A single national platform that gathers all fire‑related data, prevents disasters, supports faster response, creates jobs, and pays for itself.

Explore Programs Rollout Plan
₦20bn+
Annual Impact
150,000
Jobs
Nationwide
Coverage
FFS
Controller
Origin What is NFDRC Programs Benefits Funding Standards Legal Mobile App Departments Scale Governance Rollout Annex

National Fire Data Repository Center

A comprehensive platform transforming fire safety and response across Nigeria through data-driven solutions

Executive Summary

Problem: Fire safety records in Nigeria are scattered. We lose lives, property and money; responses can be slow.

Solution: NFDRC — a single national platform for fire data, prevention and faster response.

Impact: ₦20bn annual revenue, 150,000 jobs, safer cities, better insurance and planning data, stronger national security.

Origin & Background

In 2012, the Federal Government observed low compliance with the Fire Service Act (1963) across many sectors. Fires continued to destroy markets, offices and homes. A Presidential Circular (Ref: SGF/OP/1/S3/1X/331) directed the Federal Fire Service (FFS) to enforce fire safety regulations nationwide. To drive enforcement and create value‑added lawful revenue services, FFS established the National Fire Data Repository Center (NFDRC) as the central system.

What exactly is the NFDRC?

Think of NFDRC as Nigeria's national brain box for fire data. It's more than a database; it's a complete ecosystem that collects fire‑related information nationwide, understands patterns with analytics and AI, helps prevent disasters before they happen, and guides faster response when incidents occur. Bottom line: from scattered records to one trusted source enabling safer, smarter decisions for Government, businesses and citizens.

Programs Ready for Immediate Launch

UNFDRS

Unified National Fire Data Reporting Standard: one common way to capture/report data. Flag‑off includes launching the NFDRC Mobile App for nationwide digitalization (moving paper to secure digital).

NFERC

National Fire Engine Response Coordination: compulsory engine registration, automated dispatch and worthiness tracking.

NFEC

Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Control pilots in FCT, Kogi, Benue, etc., plus free public training on extinguisher use; NFEC–MISTDO collaboration for training and enforcement support.

What benefits will Nigerians see?

  • Proactive safety: data exposes risky locations and trends to prevent fires.
  • Faster response: control rooms gain real‑time information; dispatch becomes sharper and quicker.
  • More Government revenue (IGR): lawful fees for audits, equipment worthiness, licensing and verified data services.
  • Youth jobs: 150,000+ direct and indirect roles in field audits, ICT/data ops, training and vendor services.
  • Business confidence: better insurance pricing, safer markets, fewer closures.
  • National security: shared dashboards for FFS, NSCDC, Police, FRSC, NEMA and the Armed Forces.
  • Stronger planning: reliable data for urban planning, infrastructure and development.

How is NFDRC funded?

Short answer: it pays for itself.

  • Mainframe software maintenance: provided by 2TOC Solutions Ltd under concession obligations.
  • Running costs (ops, staffing, logistics): covered by NFDRC revenues from:
    • NFEC (extinguisher identity & compliance),
    • M2M gateway access (sensors, panic buttons, GPS),
    • Fire equipment worthiness tests,
    • Premises audit/inspection data upload access fees,
    • Verified data services (insurers/banks),
    • Grants and PPPs. Firefighting remains free as mandated by law.

Global Standards & Benchmarks

Reference Systems

  • USA – NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System)
  • UK – Incident Recording System (IRS)
  • Canada – NFID (National Fire Information Database)
  • Japan – FDMA (Fire & Disaster Management Agency)
  • AI‑enabled tools like Firebird (USA) for risk prediction

Design Standards

  • ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management System
  • UN Sendai Framework – risk governance & resilience
  • Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 – privacy by design, DPIA, role‑based access
  • UNFDRS – Unified National Fire Data Reporting Standard

NFDRC Mobile App – Offline‑First Field Data

Authorised officers capture standard data even without network; records sync securely when online. Eight data streams:

  1. Fire Incident Records
  2. Fire Response Records
  3. Fire Safety Enlightenment Records
  4. National Fire Engine Records
  1. Premises Audit Records
  2. Training & Capacity Building Records
  3. Electronic Operations Communications (E‑COM)
  4. Compliance & Enforcement Records

Key Sections / Departments (What they do)

Operations – Emergency Coordination

112/122/M2M intake, E‑COM, runs NFERC (engine registry, automated dispatch), equipment worthiness.

Inspection, Investigation & Enforcement (IIE)

Premises audits nationwide, NFEC, insurance ID verification, warehouse inspections, Import Quota Program (IQP).

Policy, Research & Statistics (PRS)

AI & analytics: predictive risk maps, trend analysis, fraud detection; home of UNFDRS.

Fire Enlightenment

Tracks trainings and public awareness campaigns across sectors.

Accounting

Monitors IGR (audits, worthiness, training, grants) and manages PPP frameworks.

FFS Academy

Digitises training/certification; coordinates with local/international bodies.

Special Duties

Drives grants, ecological funds and international cooperation.

ICT

Cybersecurity, servers, APIs, dashboards; aligns with NITDA and ONSA certifications.

Scale & National Impact

  • Revenue Potential: ₦20 Billion per year (compliance, licensing, verified data, M2M, worthiness, audits).
  • Jobs: 150,000 direct and indirect (field, ICT/data, vendors, trainers).
  • Development Engine: reliable datasets for planning, insurance, credit/finance, and infrastructure.
  • Safety & Security: fewer fire losses; stronger business continuity; improved citizen confidence.

Governance, Privacy & Security

Governance

FFS is Data Controller; data sharing with MDAs/States via formal MoUs and NEMA coordination.

Privacy

NDPA compliance, lawful basis for processing, DPIAs, data minimisation, data subject rights.

Security

ISO‑aligned ISMS, encryption, logging, backups/BCP, regular audits and drills.

10‑Week Phased Implementation (Summary)

Phase 1: Foundation & Internal Capacity (Weeks 0–4)

  1. In‑house Presentation: Demo full suite to FFS Mgmt endorsement.
  2. Nominate & Train Technical Team: 10–15 multi‑dept team trained on admin, troubleshooting, data mgmt.
  3. Departmental Nominees: Each HOD nominates 2–3 NFDRC interface officers.
  4. Train Representatives: Module‑specific training led by NFDRC technical team.

Phase 2: Initial Rollout & National Activation (Weeks 3–6)

  1. Directive for Fire Engine Data Capture: State Commands visit all engine locations; capture verified data.
  2. NFERC Seminar: National virtual seminar for stakeholders; benefits & integration path.
  3. MoU & Dashboard Access: Issue MoUs; activate partner logins.
  4. UNFDRS App Launch: Circular mandates national use as the sole reporting standard.
  5. Engine Worthiness Circular: Legal & IIE issue compliance notice with schedule, standards & fees.

Outcomes by Week 6

FFS operating on NFDRC platform; complete engine database; App live as national standard; NFERC and worthiness frameworks activated.

Annex – Key Legal Quotes & Global References

Key Legal Quotes (Verbatim)

  • FFS Act – General Duties: "The Fire Service shall be employed for the extinguishment, control and prevention of fire, the saving and protection of life and property …"
  • FFS Act – Charges: "No charge shall be made for any service rendered by the Fire Service in extinguishing fires. Charges may be made for services, other than extinguishing fires …"
  • NEMA Act – Functions: "The Agency shall — formulate policy on all activities relating to disaster …" (Sec. 6(1)).
  • NDPA 2023 – Purpose: legal framework for protection of personal information; establishes Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

Global Reference Systems

  • NFIRS (USA) – uniform incident reporting
  • IRS (UK) – modernised incident collection & statistics
  • NFID (Canada) – evidence‑based national fire information
  • FDMA (Japan) – firefighting/rescue/disaster mgmt administration
  • AI risk tools (e.g., Firebird, USA) – predictive analytics for prevention