By Palma Ileye
Federal Government has unveiled plans to transform the Federal Fire Service (FFS) into a modern fire and rescue agency, with a proposed new legal framework, improved emergency response capacity and expanded fire safety infrastructure.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Fire Safety Week and Stakeholders’ Conference, 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Tunji-Ojo identified the outdated Fire Service Act, which is more than 60 years old, as a major obstacle to the reform of the agency, stressing that a new law was necessary to provide the legal backing required for its expanded responsibilities.
“No matter how good an action is, if the law does not empower you to do it, it becomes illegal,” he said.
The Minister commended the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for improving the agency’s performance, particularly its emergency response times, despite operating under the existing legal framework.
He said the proposed legislation would strengthen the Service’s capacity to respond to emergencies and support the government’s plan to build a more effective fire and rescue system.
The Interior Minister also called for stronger fire safety inspections and enforcement of fire safety codes, advocating the deployment of trained fire marshals across districts and communities.
He further proposed the integration of rescue techniques and basic life-saving skills into school curricula at all levels to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to respond to emergencies, including performing basic resuscitation.
According to him, the Federal Fire Service should collaborate with educational institutions to make such skills an essential part of national safety education.
On infrastructure development, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the National Fire Academy at Sheda, Kwali, in the Federal Capital Territory, was 85 per cent complete and expected to be ready by the end of the year.
He said the facility, situated 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, he added, would be powered by solar energy, while the fire hydrant facility was expected to be completed by December.
Tunji-Ojo also announced improvements in personnel welfare, revealing that the Federal Government had cleared a backlog of more than 50,000 promotions across the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
He said the 2026 promotion exercise had been completed, while preparations for the 2027 exercise had commenced, adding that promotions were now concluded before December each year.
The Minister further disclosed that nearly 100,000 promotions had been effected in less than 10 years.
On recruitment, he said about 5,000 candidates were at the final stage of the latest exercise, undergoing drug testing, documentation and deployment processes.
He added that the number of Federal Fire Service Commands had increased from six to 18, creating additional opportunities for career progression, while risk allowances and other allowances for officers had been approved.
Tunji-Ojo, in his remarks, commended Federal Fire Service personnel for their dedication and sacrifices, assuring them that the administration recognised their contributions to national safety and security.
Earlier, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, said the annual National Fire Safety Week remained a major public awareness initiative aimed at educating Nigerians on fire prevention and encouraging community participation in reducing fire incidents.
Adeyemi said this year’s activities would involve simultaneous fire safety campaigns across the 36 States and the FCT, including sensitisation programmes at motor parks, schools and markets, roadshows and the distribution of fire safety materials.
He said the Service would also unveil the 2026 National Fire Safety Week logo and fire safety booklets translated into Nigerian indigenous languages to make safety information accessible to more Nigerians.
According to him, the programme would also recognise individuals and organisations contributing to fire safety, while the draws for the second edition of the Controller-General of Fire Cup would be conducted to promote cooperation among personnel of participating services.
The Controller-General said the Service was strengthening its operational capacity through personnel development, improved emergency response and partnerships with public and private institutions.
He disclosed that the Service was working with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to improve fire safety infrastructure in public tertiary institutions, while its partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) was aimed at expanding fire service coverage across local government areas.
