FG Moves to Replace 60-Year-Old Fire Service Law, Academy Nears Completion

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Minister of Interior 

..... As Interior Minister. Tunji-Ojo identifies the Fire Service Act, as a major impediment to the transformation of the agency.

..... Stresses a new legal framework is necessary to empower firefighters to perform broader rescue and emergency response functions.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to transform the Federal Fire Service into a modern fire and rescue agency, with the proposed reform expected to address legal and operational limitations hampering its capacity to respond to emergencies.

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 Fire Service Act, which is more than 60 years old, as a major impediment to the transformation of the agency, stressing that a new legal framework was necessary to empower firefighters to perform broader rescue and emergency response functions.

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

He explained that the proposed legislation would provide the legal backing required to reposition the Federal Fire Service beyond conventional firefighting operations into a comprehensive fire and rescue institution.

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

He advocated the integration of rescue techniques and basic life-saving skills into school curricula at all levels, arguing that equipping pupils and students with emergency response knowledge would help save lives during fire outbreaks and other emergencies.

According to him, the Federal Fire Service should work closely with educational institutions to make basic rescue and resuscitation skills part of everyday learning.

On infrastructure development, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the National Fire Academy in Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, had reached 85 per cent completion and was expected to be ready by the end of 2026.

He said the 23-hectare facility 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 accompanying fire hydrant facility was expected to be completed by December.

The minister said the academy would be commissioned upon completion, providing a dedicated platform for professional training and capacity development within the fire service.

On personnel welfare, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the Federal Government had cleared more than 50,000 outstanding promotions across the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

He said the administration had also introduced a system under which annual promotion exercises were concluded before December, adding that the 2026 exercise had been completed while preparations for the 2027 exercise had commenced.

The minister further revealed that nearly 100,000 promotions had been effected across the ministry's paramilitary agencies in less than 10 years.

He also disclosed that about 5,000 candidates had reached the final stage of the latest recruitment exercise, involving drug tests, documentation and deployment.

According to him, the number of Federal Fire Service commands had increased from six to 18, a development he said had expanded the agency's operational reach and created additional opportunities for career progression.

Tunji-Ojo also confirmed that risk allowances and other allowances for fire service personnel had been approved.

He commended the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for the improvements recorded by the agency despite operating under an outdated legal framework, particularly the significant reduction in emergency response times.

The minister praised firefighters for their sacrifices and commitment to protecting lives and property, acknowledging the dangers they confront and the sleepless nights they endure in the discharge of their duties.

He assured personnel that the Federal Government recognised their contributions to national safety and security, pledging continued support for efforts to strengthen the service.