Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, has reaffirmed Federal Government support for emergency management development as he commended the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) for its proactive efforts in strengthening emergency medical and disaster response systems in Nigeria.
Tunji‑Ojo gave the commendation yesterday while receiving the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke‑Osanyintolu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He described emergency medical services as a critical growth sector, noting that Nigeria’s increasing population requires structured and sustainable emergency response mechanisms. “Emergency medical rescue service is the next oil. With our population growth, the need for structured emergency response is enormous. We are just beginning to scratch the surface,” he said.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2031 would depend largely on strengthening disaster and emergency management capacity. “You cannot grow your economy without growing the capacity of your country to respond to emergencies and disasters. The two must go together,” he added.
He disclosed that the Federal Government was nearing completion of a major Emergency and Fire Service Academy in Abuja under the Federal Fire Service. The academy, expected to be commissioned as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, will enhance national training capacity in rescue and disaster management.
Tunji‑Ojo emphasized the need for innovation within constitutional provisions, noting that emergency management falls under the residual legislative list, thereby empowering states while requiring legal coordination with federal authorities. He assured LASEMA of the Ministry’s readiness to provide technical guidance and institutional support.
Earlier, Oke‑Osanyintolu disclosed plans by LASEMA to reposition its proposed academy as the Institute of Disaster Management, aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, emergency coordination, and professional capacity building, while seeking federal collaboration. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to operating within constitutional and legal frameworks, stating that the institute would align with national standards.
The LASEMA Permanent Secretary also called for stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Interior in areas of fire service coordination, technical training, and joint emergency operations. He cited a recent successful emergency response at an airport, where inter‑agency cooperation helped save lives, as evidence of the importance of teamwork and capacity development.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
