The federal government has resolved to repeal the 62-year-old Fire Service Act Cap F29, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 1963, replacing it with the Federal Fire and Rescue Service Establishment Act 2022. This move aims to modernize the operations and professionalism of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) to better serve Nigerians.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, announced the decision at the groundbreaking ceremony for the remodeling and upgrading of the National Fire Academy in Sheda, Abuja. This event was part of the activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the 1963 Act had become outdated and insufficient to address the expanded role of the FFS, which now includes rescue operations and security duties. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the Fire Service is not marginalized and that emergency rescue operations are taken seriously as a constitutional right.
“For this reason, the government is putting in a lot of resources to remodel the academy to place it as an exporter of rescue mission knowledge in Africa. The scope of fire service all over the world in 2024 is different from what it was in 1963, and we cannot continue to be held down by the past when we have an opportunity to create a future that we will all be proud of,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He described the current operational framework as obsolete and assured that President Tinubu would provide the necessary resources to revitalize the country’s Fire Service. The government is also looking to involve the private sector in the firefighting industry to ensure the safety of over 200 million Nigerians.
“The time to rewrite the history of the Fire Service is not tomorrow but now. Mr. President takes Fire and Rescue Service very seriously. He wants results and efficiency. That is why he has released several motivational incentives to boost your productivity,” Tunji-Ojo added.
The government plans to establish at least six sophisticated fire academies in each geopolitical zone, making the National Fire Academy a central training hub.
In his keynote address, Engr. Jaji Abdulganiyu, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, commended the federal government for its decision to repeal the outdated 1963 Act. He praised the remodeling efforts of the National Fire Academy, noting that it now features state-of-the-art training props, including an aeroplane, automobile, confined space, and firehouse simulations, as well as a drill tower and hydrants for practical training.
Abdulganiyu described these upgrades as essential for providing world-class, automated pre-engineered simulations for various fire and rescue scenarios, ensuring that the academy remains at the forefront of fire service training in Africa.
