The Federal Government is preparing to replace the 1963 Fire Service Act with a new law that will expand the responsibilities of the Federal Fire Service and transform it into the Federal Fire and Rescue Service.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on Monday at the 2026 National Fire Safety Week in Abuja, saying the proposed legislation had completed its defence at the Federal Executive Council level and would be presented for consideration on Thursday.
According to the minister, the proposed law will give the agency broader powers to handle emergencies beyond conventional firefighting, including search and rescue operations, emergency medical assistance, hazardous materials response, disaster management and accident investigation.
He said, “For the first time in 63 years, this President has taken the bull by the horns. As I speak to you, I think we have finished defending it. It should be laid this week, Thursday, at the level of the Federal Executive Council.
“So with this new law, we are repealing what used to be the Federal Fire Service Act. What the government of President Bola Tinubu is bringing on board is the Federal Fire and Rescue Service.”
Tunji-Ojo explained that the existing legislation had become outdated and limited the agency’s ability to respond effectively to modern emergencies.
He said, “You cannot have a Fire Service Act of 1963 and think it will be near 2026 compliant. It doesn’t make sense. And if the law does not give you the power to do certain things, it makes the job of this man in uniform impossible to do.
“The number one issue we had was the law. There is no right way of doing what is legally wrong. If the law does not give you the power to do something, no matter how good that action is, once you do it, it becomes illegal.”
The minister said the government’s objective was to establish a more comprehensive emergency response agency capable of intervening in road accidents, floods, earthquakes and incidents involving dangerous chemicals or toxic substances.
He added that the proposed service would provide first aid and medical rescue assistance while strengthening fire prevention through safety inspections, regulatory enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
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“I want to have my dream of a fire service in Nigeria that will be able to provide that first aid, that will be able to provide that rescue service, even medical rescue services.
“I want to see a Federal Fire Service that specialises in rescue operations. I want to see a Federal Service that deals with hazardous materials, what we call HAZMAT response, when there is a ceiling, when there is a helicopter, toxic gas, etc. It is the fire service that is responsible,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also advocated the inclusion of basic rescue procedures and emergency response training in school curricula to equip Nigerians with lifesaving skills.
He said, “What percentage of Nigerians can even do a single resuscitation process? So we must make sure that rescue becomes our way of life, because you never can tell who that next person is you will be in a position to help.
“It might be your mother, it might be your son, it might be your daughter, it might even be somebody who is very important to you.”
The minister further disclosed that the government had started building a fire service academy in Kwali, Abuja, with construction reportedly 65 per cent completed.
The facility, covering about 23 hectares, is expected to be ready by December and will accommodate more than 3,000 trainees.
It will feature training classrooms, a library, a health centre and accommodation facilities.
He also said the government had increased the agency’s leadership structure from one Deputy Controller-General to three and expanded its commands from six to 18.