All applications for the Federal Fire Service recruitment exercise must be completed online. The official recruitment portal for the 2026 exercise is:
Official FFS Website: www.fedfire.gov.ng
CDCFIB Recruitment Portal: https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng
Important Warning: The Federal Fire Service recruitment is completely free of charge. Do not pay any individual, agent, or third-party website claiming to facilitate your application. Always apply only through the official portals listed above. Any request for payment is fraudulent and should be reported immediately.
FFS Recruitment 2026: Quick Details at a Glance
- Organisation: Federal Fire Service (FFS)
- Supervising Board: Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)
- Country: Nigeria
- Employment Type: Full-Time (Paramilitary)
- Application Mode: Online Only
- Application Fee: Free
- Official Portal: www.fedfire.gov.ng / recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng
- Screening Period: Physical and medical screening conducted after shortlisting
Available Positions and Cadres for FFS Recruitment 2026
The Federal Fire Service organizes its recruitment vacancies into distinct cadres based on academic qualifications and professional experience. Below are the main categories and the specific positions available under each:
Category A: Superintendent Cadre
This is the highest entry-level cadre in the FFS recruitment and is reserved for candidates with advanced academic qualifications.
- Deputy Superintendent of Fire (DSF): Requires a Master’s Degree or membership of a recognized professional body.
- Assistant Superintendent of Fire II (ASF II): Requires a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized university.
Category B: Inspectorate Cadre
The Inspectorate Cadre is open to holders of Higher National Diplomas (HND), National Diplomas (ND), National Certificate of Education (NCE), and professional certifications.
- Senior Inspector of Fire (SIF): CONPASS 08: For HND holders from accredited polytechnics.
- Inspector of Fire (IF): CONPASS 07 (Nursing): Open to Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Midwives (RM), or Registered Nurse/Midwives (RN/RM) from accredited institutions.
- Assistant Inspector of Fire (AIF): CONPASS 06: Requires a National Diploma (ND), NCE, or Advanced NABTEB from a recognized institution.
Category C: Assistant Cadre
This is the entry-level cadre for candidates with ordinary-level qualifications, making it accessible to a wide range of Nigerian applicants.
- Fire Assistant II (FA II): CONPASS 04: Requires GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO, or equivalent with a minimum of five (5) credits including English Language and Mathematics.
- Fire Assistant III (FA III): CONPASS 03: Requires a minimum of three (3) credits from GCE, SSCE, or NECO in not more than two sittings.
- Appliance Driver (Specialist): CONPASS 03: Open to candidates with a valid driver’s licence and relevant trade/professional certification approved by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
Federal Fire Service Recruitment 2026: General Eligibility Requirements
Before proceeding to apply, every candidate must confirm they satisfy the following general requirements. Failure to meet any of these conditions will lead to disqualification at any stage of the process:
Nationality
Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and must possess a valid means of identification such as a National Identity Card, International Passport, Voter’s Card, or Driver’s Licence.
Age Requirement
Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of application. Some specialized positions may carry slightly different age criteria, so always confirm requirements for your specific cadre.
Height Requirement
Male applicants must be at least 1.65 metres tall. Female applicants must be at least 1.60 metres tall. Some earlier recruitments specified stricter height thresholds, so confirm the latest guideline on the official portal.
Chest Measurement
Male applicants must have a minimum chest measurement of 0.87 metres.
Medical Fitness
All candidates must be medically, physically, and psychologically fit. A valid medical fitness certificate from an accredited government hospital will be required during the screening stage.
Criminal Record
Applicants must have a clean criminal record. Anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offence is not eligible to apply.
Drug and Secret Society
Candidates must not be drug addicts, members of any secret society, cult, or any criminal organisation. Any history of such involvement results in automatic disqualification.
Financial Record
Applicants must not have a history of financial embarrassment. This is a standard requirement for all federal paramilitary recruitment exercises in Nigeria.
NIN and BVN
Candidates are required to possess both a valid National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) before applying.
Documents Required for the FFS Recruitment Application
Before sitting down to fill out the online application form, ensure the following documents are scanned, ready, and meet the portal’s file size requirements:
- Recent passport photograph (clear background, not exceeding 80KB in file size)
- O’Level result(s): WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB certificate
- ND, NCE, HND, or Bachelor’s Degree certificate (where applicable)
- NYSC Discharge Certificate or Exemption Letter (for degree holders)
- Birth Certificate or Age Declaration
- National Identity Card (NIN slip accepted)
- Valid Bank Verification Number (BVN) documentation
- Medical fitness certificate from a government-approved hospital
- Referee forms (to be printed from the portal after application, completed, and submitted at the screening stage)
How to Apply for Federal Fire Service Recruitment 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for the FFS recruitment is a straightforward online process. Follow these steps carefully to complete your registration without errors:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to the official CDCFIB recruitment portal at https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng or the FFS website at www.fedfire.gov.ng. Only these portals are authorized for this exercise.
Step 2: Create an Account
Click on the “Register” or “Start Application” button on the homepage. You will be required to provide your full name, a valid email address, an active phone number, and a password. Ensure you use an email address you regularly access, as all correspondence will be sent there.
Step 3: Log In and Select Your Cadre
After creating your account, log in with your email and password. Navigate to the Federal Fire Service (FFS) section and select the cadre or position you are qualified to apply for. Do not apply for a position you are not qualified for, as this will lead to disqualification.
Step 4: Fill in the Application Form
Complete all required fields in the application form. This includes personal information, state of origin, local government area, contact details, educational qualifications, and professional certifications. Cross-check every detail before proceeding.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified formats and sizes. Make sure the uploads are clear, legible, and complete.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Once you have confirmed all the information is accurate, click the “Submit” button. An application code or acknowledgment slip will be generated. Print it out and keep it safe, as you will need it for reference during the screening stage.
Step 7: Print the Referee Form
After successful submission, print the Referee Form from the portal. This form must be duly completed by a recognized referee and brought along during the physical screening exercise.
Note: Apply only once. Multiple applications from the same candidate will lead to automatic disqualification from the entire exercise.
FFS Recruitment 2026: Screening Process Explained
After the online application portal closes, the Federal Fire Service follows a structured shortlisting and screening process. Here is what successful candidates should expect:
1. Application Review and Shortlisting
All submitted applications are reviewed by the CDCFIB. Only candidates who meet all the eligibility requirements for their chosen cadre will be shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates are notified via email and SMS using the contact details provided during registration.
2. Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering general aptitude, logical reasoning, basic firefighting principles, and safety awareness. Candidates who pass the CBT advance to the next stage.
3. Physical and Medical Fitness Screening
Because firefighting demands high physical and mental endurance, candidates undergo a physical evaluation that tests stamina, strength, and overall fitness. A formal medical examination at an approved government hospital is also conducted at this stage. The FFS has previously scheduled screening windows spanning one to two weeks, with candidates reporting to specific state or zonal venues.
4. Document Verification and Certificate Assessment
All original certificates and documents submitted during the online application are verified at the screening centre. Any forged, altered, or misrepresented document leads to immediate disqualification and possible prosecution.
5. Oral Interview
Candidates who successfully pass the physical and documentation stages may be invited for an oral interview. The panel evaluates communication skills, situational awareness, commitment to public service, and professional judgment.
6. Appointment and Training
Successful candidates receive official letters of appointment and are sent for comprehensive paramilitary training before deployment to their duty stations. The Federal Fire Service, through the National Fire Academy (NFA) in affiliation with the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), provides professional development training for all new and existing personnel.
FFS Recruitment 2026 Salary Structure
One of the most common questions candidates ask is about remuneration. Based on available information from the CONPASS salary structure applicable to paramilitary agencies, below is an indicative salary guide for FFS officers:
- SSCE/O’Level holders (Fire Assistant III: CONPASS 03): Approximately ₦70,577 per month
- ND/NCE holders (Assistant Inspector of Fire: CONPASS 06): Approximately ₦120,427 per month
- HND/BSc holders (Senior Inspector/Assistant Superintendent): Approximately ₦230,447 per month
In addition to the basic salary, FFS personnel enjoy allowances including housing allowance, hazard allowance, medical benefits, and pension contributions under the Contributory Pension Scheme. Salary figures are subject to review by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Tips for a Successful FFS Recruitment Application
Here are practical tips to significantly improve your chances of a smooth application and successful shortlisting:
- Apply only through the official portal: never through agents or unofficial websites.
- Ensure your NIN and BVN are registered and active before starting your application.
- Use a working email address and phone number, and keep access to both throughout the recruitment period.
- Double-check your educational qualifications before selecting a cadre to avoid misrepresentation.
- Keep file sizes of scanned documents within the specified limits to avoid upload errors.
- Do not submit multiple applications: only one entry per applicant is permitted.
- Prepare physically ahead of time, as the screening process includes a physical fitness evaluation.
- Monitor your email inbox (including spam/junk folders) regularly for notifications from FFS/CDCFIB.
- Always check the official FFS website or the CDCFIB portal for updates rather than relying on third-party sites.
Federal Fire Service Shortlisted Candidates 2026
Once the application window closes, the CDCFIB publishes the list of shortlisted candidates on the official recruitment portal. The shortlist contains the names and details of all candidates who have successfully completed their application and met all eligibility requirements.
Shortlisted candidates are contacted via the email address and phone number they registered with, and are given detailed instructions for the next stage of the process. It is important to monitor your email closely after the application deadline, including your spam folder.
To verify your shortlist status, visit the official portal at recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng and log in with your registered credentials.
About the CDCFIB Recruitment Board
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) is the statutory body that oversees the recruitment, training, and welfare of personnel across four of Nigeria’s major paramilitary agencies: the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), the Federal Fire Service (FFS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The Board ensures a transparent, merit-based, and unified recruitment process for all four agencies under a single portal infrastructure.
Final
A career with the Federal Fire Service of Nigeria is not just a job: it is a life-defining commitment to protecting communities, saving lives, and safeguarding property across the nation. The 2026 recruitment exercise presents a golden opportunity for qualified Nigerians across all educational levels to serve their country in a highly structured, well-compensated, and respected paramilitary environment.
To be among the first to know when the application portal opens or re-activates, bookmark the official portal at recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng and the FFS official website at www.fedfire.gov.ng. Do not rely on unofficial sources, and never pay anyone to process your application. The recruitment is entirely free.