Minister Tunji-Ojo Reveals Plans for Fire Service Reform

On November 2, during the 2026 National Fire Safety Week in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the Federal Government's commitment to transforming the Federal Fire Service into a comprehensive fire and rescue service. He identified the outdated Fire Service Act, over 60 years old, as a significant barrier to reform.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo praised Comptroller-General Olumode Samuel Adeyemi for improvements in response times under the current framework and emphasized the need for a new law to enhance performance. He advocated for stronger fire inspections, trained fire marshals in communities, and the integration of rescue techniques into school curricula.

The National Fire Academy in Sheda, Kwali, FCT, is 85 percent complete and will feature various facilities for training. The Minister also mentioned the clearance of over 50,000 promotions across paramilitary agencies, with nearly 100,000 promotions in the last decade.

Approximately 5,000 candidates are in the final stages of recruitment, and the number of Federal Fire Service commands has increased from six to 18.