Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government is set to transform the Federal Fire Service into a modern fire and rescue agency, with plans to strengthen its legal framework, expand emergency response capacity and equip personnel with specialised rescue skills.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on Monday in Abuja during the 2026 National Fire Safety Week, held under the theme, “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: One Community at a Time.”
He identified the over 60-year-old Fire Service Act as a major constraint to the proposed reforms, stressing that a new legal framework was necessary to empower the service to meet modern emergency response demands. The Minister also called for stronger fire safety inspections, enforcement of safety codes and the integration of basic rescue and life-saving skills into school curricula.
Dr Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the National Fire Academy in Sheda, Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, was 85 per cent complete and expected to be ready by the end of the year. The facility, built on about 23 hectares of land, will accommodate more than 3,000 trainees and feature drill towers, classrooms, a library, a health centre and hostel facilities. He added that the number of Federal Fire Service commands had increased from six to 18, while the fire hydrant facility was expected to be completed by December.
The Minister also announced that the Federal Government had cleared over 50,000 outstanding promotions across the Ministry’s paramilitary agencies, adding that the 2026 promotion exercise had been concluded and preparations for the 2027 exercise had begun.
He further disclosed that about 5,000 candidates were at the final stage of the latest recruitment exercise, while officers’ risk and other allowances had been approved. Tunji-Ojo commended fire service personnel for their dedication and sacrifices, assuring them of the government’s recognition and commitment to improving their welfare and operational capacity.
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