Kano State Allocates N700 Million for Fire Service Budget

The Kano State government has approved a budget of N700 million for the Kano State Fire Service as part of its 2026 budget, which totals N1.48 trillion. This allocation comes in the wake of significant losses, amounting to billions of naira, due to fire outbreaks in major markets over the past two months.

Musa Sulaiman Shanono, the budget commission representative, indicated that the funds would be used to procure five firefighting trucks. However, stakeholders, including victims of recent fires, have expressed concerns that this amount is inadequate for ensuring market security, especially given the frequency of incidents.

Between 2007 and 2017, 366 market fire outbreaks were recorded, with 70% occurring during that period. The Kano State Fire Service lacks modern firefighting facilities and trained personnel, which hampers its ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

Kamilu Abdullahi, a public relations officer for the fire service, stated that plans are underway to establish a firefighting unit in markets to enhance response capabilities.