Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening fire safety management in Nigeria, as the reconstructed National Fire Academy (NFA) in Sheda, Abuja, moves steadily toward completion.
During a site inspection yesterday, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, top management officials, and the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Samuel Olumode Adeyemi, the Minister disclosed that the project was about 65 percent complete, despite consultants estimating progress at 70 percent. He assured that the facility would be delivered by May 2026.
Dr. Tunji Ojo explained that the academy currently occupies 10 hectares, with plans underway to acquire an additional 13 hectares for a new Paramilitary Institute. The institute, he said, will serve officers from all agencies under the Ministry, focusing on professionalism and career development.
The academy’s infrastructure includes training grounds, residential quarters, classrooms, a library, and operational equipment units. Adeyemi added that the campus will feature a firehouse, unique in West Africa, for search and rescue exercises, and has the capacity to host up to 3,000 participants simultaneously.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, the Minister noted that the academy will serve as the backbone of professional training, capacity development, and modernization of fire service operations in Nigeria. He emphasized that the facilities will not only train Federal Fire Service personnel but also open opportunities for youth and private sector participants, reducing reliance on overseas training and curbing capital flight.
“This academy provides us the opportunity to train both officers and private sector people, which will help retain foreign exchange,” Tunji Ojo stated.
He further stressed that fire safety management is not only a security concern but also an economic imperative, as preventable fire outbreaks significantly affect national productivity, private investment, and public confidence. Continuous improvement in curriculum development, discipline, and professionalism, he said, remains central to aligning Nigeria’s fire service with global best practices.
Permanent Secretary Ajani commended the leadership of the Federal Fire Service and the academy staff for their dedication, assuring that the Ministry will continue to provide administrative and policy support to enhance institutional performance.
Controller General Adeyemi expressed appreciation for the Minister’s proactive leadership, noting that the academy will boost service delivery nationwide. “With the help of the Minister, we have enough human resources to man these facilities. The academy has the capacity to accommodate 3,000 participants at once,” he said.
The inspection underscores the Ministry of Interior’s broader reform agenda to build resilient institutions, strengthen emergency response systems, and safeguard lives, property, and national assets.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
