By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has announced plans to transform the Federal Fire Service into a full-fledged fire and rescue agency, with a proposed new legal framework, expanded training facilities and improved operational capacity.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 National Fire Safety Week, held under the theme, “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time.”
Tunji-Ojo identified the outdated Fire Service Act, which is more than 60 years old, as a major obstacle to the transformation, saying the existing law does not adequately address the demands of a modern fire and rescue service.
“No matter how good an action is, if the law does not empower you to do it, it becomes illegal,” the minister said, stressing the need for a new legal framework to strengthen the agency’s operations.
He commended the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for improving response times despite the limitations of the existing law, adding that the proposed legislation would provide the necessary backing for further improvements.
The minister also called for stricter fire safety inspections and enforcement of safety codes across communities, supported by trained fire marshals in every district. He advocated the inclusion of rescue techniques and basic life-saving skills in school curricula to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to respond to emergencies, including performing basic resuscitation.
On infrastructure development, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the National Fire Academy at Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the FCT, was 85 per cent complete and expected to be ready by the end of the year.
He said the facility, located on approximately 23 hectares of land, would have drill towers, classrooms, a library, a training centre, a health centre and hostel accommodation for more than 3,000 trainees at a time. The academy will also be powered by solar energy.
The minister added that the fire hydrant facility was expected to be completed by December, while the academy would be commissioned after construction.
On personnel welfare, he said the Federal Government had cleared more than 50,000 outstanding promotions across the Ministry of Interior’s paramilitary agencies, adding that promotions were now concluded before December each year.
According to him, the 2026 promotion exercise has been completed, while preparations for the 2027 exercise have commenced. He also disclosed that nearly 100,000 promotions had been effected across the agencies in less than 10 years.
Tunji-Ojo further revealed that about 5,000 candidates shortlisted for recruitment into the Federal Fire Service were undergoing final-stage processes, including drug testing, documentation and deployment.
He said the number of Federal Fire Service commands had increased from six to 18, creating additional opportunities for career progression, while officers’ risk allowances and other allowances had also been approved.
The minister commended fire service personnel for their sacrifices and commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring them that the administration recognised their contributions to national safety and security.
