FG boosts emergency response, as Tunji-Ojo inspects 65% completed Fire Academy

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen emergency response nationwide, as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inspected the 65 percent completed National Fire Academy in Sheda, Abuja.

The visit signals renewed focus on building capacity within the fire service to improve disaster preparedness and response.

Tunji-Ojo said the ongoing construction of the Academy is central to the Ministry’s reform agenda aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and repositioning the fire service to meet modern safety standards.

He noted that effective emergency management requires strong institutions backed by proper training facilities.

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During the tour, the Minister assessed key sections of the Academy, including training grounds, residential quarters, classrooms, a library, and operational equipment units. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and stressed the need to maintain quality and timelines.

According to him, the Academy will serve as the foundation for professional training and capacity development within the fire service, helping to modernise operations and raise performance standards across the country.

Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government’s commitment to equipping personnel with updated skills, modern tools, and the right infrastructure to respond swiftly and professionally to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.

He explained that fire safety is not only about protecting lives and property but also about safeguarding economic activity, noting that frequent and preventable fire incidents can disrupt businesses, reduce productivity, and weaken investor confidence.

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Strengthening emergency response, he said, is therefore both a security and economic priority.

The Minister added that improving training standards and operational readiness remains a core part of the Ministry’s wider reform programme. He called for constant review of curriculum, stronger discipline, and higher levels of professionalism to ensure alignment with global best practice.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani, commended the leadership of the Federal Fire Service and the Academy’s staff for their commitment, assuring that the Ministry would continue to provide the necessary administrative and policy backing to improve performance and accountability.

Also speaking, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, thanked the Minister for his hands-on leadership and reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to deliver timely, efficient, and professional fire and rescue operations across the country.

The inspection, officials said, reflects the Ministry’s sustained effort to build resilient institutions, upgrade emergency systems, and ensure better protection of lives, property, and national assets.