FG plans upgrade of National Fire Academy to world-class standard

The Federal Government has announced plans to upgrade the National Fire Academy Sheda in Abuja to a world-class standard. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed this during an inspection of ongoing projects at the academy. The upgrade is aimed at meeting local training needs and also exporting training to other countries.

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The groundbreaking ceremony for the project is scheduled for May 28, 2024, as part of activities marking the one-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The National Fire Academy Sheda, which is the training arm of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), has not been performing optimally in recent years.

The expansion project will include the construction of a clinic, worship centers, props center, sports arena, lecture halls, hostels, and other facilities. The goal is to create a modern fire academy that can be compared to the best in the world. The Minister emphasized the importance of the Fire Service in securing lives and property, especially as first responders in emergencies.

The upgrade is expected to help the academy retain foreign exchange by reducing the need for foreign training. It will also provide training to personnel from other countries. The Minister expressed confidence that the academy’s potential has not been fully tapped and that the upgrade will help realize this potential.

The Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya, expressed support for the project and announced that the council has decided to cede more land to the Fire Academy for the expansion.