The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s Federal Fire Service (FFS), advocating a new legal framework and private sector participation to strengthen emergency response and safeguard lives, businesses, and investments.
Speaking at the Ministry of Interior Mid-Tenure/2025 Sectoral Performance Retreat at Zuma Rock Resorts in Suleja, Niger State, Tunji-Ojo described the Fire Service Act of 1963 as ‘outdated and insufficient for today’s realities.’
He said; “By law today, the fire service cannot prosecute, cannot enumerate, and cannot even regulate. When a government agency lacks prosecution, regulation and enforcement powers, it becomes a toothless dog.”
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that Nigeria’s growing population and expanding economy require modern fire and rescue services, which cannot rely solely on government funding.
“Government cannot keep buying fire trucks abroad. Just as we license private guard companies, we must begin to license private firefighting and rescue companies,” he explained.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that private sector participation in firefighting is standard practice in advanced economies such as Japan, China, and the United States, urging Nigeria to adopt similar models.
“No serious investor will put money in a country where there is no emergency response system. Most fire incidents could have been avoided with immediate response,” he said, stressing the link between effective emergency services and investor confidence.
The Minister said that his ministry is already in discussions with the National Assembly to amend the Fire Service Act, aligning it with global best practices and empowering the FFS with regulatory authority.
Beyond fire service reform, Tunji-Ojo criticised the frequent redeployment of officers across unrelated units in paramilitary agencies, describing it as counterproductive.
“If you spend one year in border management and are suddenly moved to finance or HR, capacity building suffers. Officers should be allowed to build careers along their areas of expertise. National security requires specialisation, not generalisation,” the Minister further said.
Tunji-Ojo called for structured career progression paths within the Interior Ministry’s agencies, particularly for officers in border management, migration, and human resources, to ensure institutional knowledge and continuity.
“In the US and UK, emergency medical services are under the fire service. That is what we must aim for. If we fail in emergency response, we fail the economy,” Tunji-Ojo stressed.
Tunji-Ojo urged lawmakers, stakeholders, and the private sector to collaborate in transforming Nigeria’s fire and rescue framework, describing it as a prerequisite for public safety, investment, and sustainable national growth.
PIAK