FG Targets Improved Emergency Response With Fire Service Reforms

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to reform the Federal Fire Service to improve emergency response, strengthen fire safety enforcement and expand rescue operations across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the plans on Monday in Abuja during the 2026 National Fire Safety Week, with the theme, “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time.”

He identified the Fire Service Act, which dates back more than 60 years, as a major obstacle to the agency’s transformation into a modern fire and rescue service.

According to him, the existing legislation no longer provides adequate legal backing for the demands of contemporary emergency response operations.

“No matter how good an action is, if the law does not empower you to do it, it becomes illegal,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo commended the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for improving the agency’s performance despite the limitations of the existing law.

He particularly acknowledged the significant improvement in response times, expressing confidence that a new legal framework would enable the service to deliver better results.

The minister also called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations through regular inspections and the deployment of trained fire marshals across districts and communities.

He said the country needed to build a culture of fire prevention rather than rely mainly on emergency interventions after outbreaks.

To strengthen public preparedness, Tunji-Ojo advocated the inclusion of rescue techniques and basic life-saving skills in school curricula at all levels.

He urged the Federal Fire Service to collaborate with educational institutions to equip students with the knowledge to respond to emergencies, including performing basic resuscitation.

On infrastructure development, the minister disclosed that the National Fire Academy in Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, had reached 85 per cent completion.

The facility, which occupies about 23 hectares, is expected to become ready before the end of the year.

He said the academy would feature drill towers, classrooms, a library, a training centre, a health centre and hostel accommodation for more than 3,000 trainees.

The minister added that the facility would operate on solar energy, while construction of its fire hydrant facility should also finish in December.

He said the government would commission the academy after completing the remaining work.

Tunji-Ojo also highlighted improvements in personnel administration across the ministry’s paramilitary agencies, disclosing that the government had cleared more than 50,000 outstanding promotions.

He said the ministry had introduced a system that ensures annual promotion exercises conclude before December to prevent further backlogs.

According to him, the 2026 promotion exercise has been completed, while preparations for the 2027 exercise have commenced.

He further disclosed that the government had effected nearly 100,000 promotions across the agencies in less than 10 years.

On recruitment, the minister said about 5,000 candidates had reached the final stage of the latest exercise, which involves drug testing, documentation and deployment.

He also announced that the Federal Fire Service had expanded its command structure from six to 18, creating additional opportunities for career advancement.

Tunji-Ojo added that the government had approved risk allowances and other benefits for officers.

The minister praised personnel of the Federal Fire Service for their sacrifices and commitment to protecting lives and property, despite the dangers associated with their duties.

He acknowledged the risks they face and the sleepless nights they endure to ensure the safety of Nigerians.

Tunji-Ojo assured the officers that the present administration recognised their contributions and remained committed to improving their welfare and strengthening the agency’s capacity.