The Federal Government has announced plans to scrap the 1963 Fire Service Act and rebrand the Federal Fire Service in a move aimed at modernising the agency’s legal structure and repositioning it for more effective emergency response and fire management across the country.
The proposed law, which has completed its defence at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is expected to be presented for consideration this week, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said at the 2026 National Fire Safety Week in Abuja on Monday.
He said the government would rename the agency the Federal Fire and Rescue Service and expand its mandate beyond firefighting.
Under the proposal, the service would provide emergency medical care, search-and-rescue operations, hazardous-materials response, disaster management and accident investigation.
The Minister said the current law restricts the agency’s ability to respond to modern emergencies, including road accidents, floods, earthquakes and toxic-substance incidents.
“You cannot have a Fire Service Act of 1963 and think it will be near 2026 compliant,” Tunji-Ojo said.
“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 Minister stated.
The overhaul is part of a wider effort to strengthen the service’s emergency preparedness as rapid urbanisation, road accidents and climate-related disasters increase demand for rescue services.
The government also plans to make fire prevention and emergency-response education more widespread, including through schools.
Tunji-Ojo said the proposed agency would conduct inspections, enforce safety regulations and carry out public education campaigns.
He also called for basic lifesaving skills, including resuscitation, to be taught in schools.
“What percentage of Nigerians can even do a single resuscitation process?” he asked.
“We must make sure that rescue becomes our way of life,” the Minister added.
The government has begun building a fire-service academy in Kwali, near Abuja, that is about 65 per cent complete and expected to open by December.
The 23-hectare facility will include classrooms, a library, a health centre and accommodation for more than 3,000 trainees.
The ministry has also expanded the Federal Fire Service’s leadership structure from one deputy controller-general to three and increased its commands from six to 18.
Controller-General Olumode Adeyemi said this year’s National Fire Safety Week, themed “Building a Fire-Resilient Nigeria: Don’t Go Missing at a Time,” is intended to raise awareness and encourage fire-prevention practices nationwide.
Awareness campaigns will take place simultaneously across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, targeting motor parks, schools, markets and plazas.
The programme includes a roadshow and the distribution of fire-safety materials translated into indigenous languages.
Adeyemi said the service trained 713 officers last week, while another 750 personnel are undergoing training.
He said effective prevention and emergency response would require cooperation among government agencies, businesses, communities and individuals.
