Interior Minister Seeks Fire Service Reform

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for urgent reform of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), including a new legal framework to empower it and open the sector to private participation.

Speaking at the Ministry of Interior Mid-Tenure/2025 Sectoral Performance Retreat held at Zuma Rock Resorts in Suleja, Niger State, the Minister described the current Fire Service Act of 1963 as “obsolete and inadequate,” stressing that it neither reflects today’s realities nor gives the FFS prosecutorial or regulatory powers.

He said: “By law today, the fire service cannot prosecute, cannot enumerate, and cannot even regulate. When a government agency lacks prosecution, regulation and enforcement powers, it becomes a toothless dog.”

The Minister argued that Nigeria’s growing population and booming economy require modern fire and rescue services, which cannot be funded by government alone. “Government cannot keep buying fire trucks abroad. Just as we license private guard companies, we must begin to license private firefighting and rescue companies,” he declared.

He added that private sector involvement in firefighting is standard practice in advanced economies such as Japan, China and the United States, noting that Nigeria must adopt similar models to protect lives, businesses and investments.

Tunji-Ojo noted that effective emergency response is critical for investor confidence, adding that: “No serious investor will put money in a country where there is no emergency response system. Most fire incidents could have been avoided with immediate response.”

He revealed that his ministry was already in discussions with the National Assembly on amending the Fire Service Act to bring the law in line with global best practices and empower the FFS with regulatory authority.

The Minister said beyond fire service reform, it was bad to frequently redeploy officers across unrelated units in paramilitary agencies, describing it as wasteful and counterproductive.

He said: “If you spend one year in border management and are suddenly moved to finance or HR, capacity building suffers. Officers should be allowed to build careers along their areas of expertise. National security requires specialization, not generalization.”

Tunji-Ojo called for structured career progression paths within the Interior Ministry’s agencies, particularly for officers in border management, migration and HR, to ensure institutional knowledge and continuity.

He insisted that emergency services are central to national security and economic stability, noting that in the US and UK, emergency medical services are under the fire service, adding that this is what we must aim for. “If we fail in emergency response, we fail the economy.@

The Minister urged lawmakers, stakeholders and the private sector to join forces with government in transforming the nation’s fire and rescue framework, describing it as a prerequisite for safety, investment and sustainable growth.

Interior Minister Seeks Fire Service Reform

85 Nigerians receive UK Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom has awarded 85 Nigerians, the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2025.

This year, 39 scholars and a fellow received the Chevening scholarships, while 45 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far. A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will hold in Lagos in September, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities.

At the Abuja pre-departure reception, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.

Speaking at the ceremony, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever said: “We are proud to see another batch of scholars depart over the next few weeks for the UK knowing that they will come back and add to a very strong Chevening network in Nigeria.

“They will return with a lasting positive disposition towards the UK, acting as ambassadors by sharing their understanding of systems, policies, and life in the UK– and then bringing those experiences back to Nigeria and doing great things while creating a positive change in this country and the world.”

Speaking at the Reception, Director Programmes, British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, said: “As you leave for the United Kingdom for further studies, you carry with you not only your personal aspirations but also the hopes of your communities and the promise of contributing to Nigeria’s future. We are confident that the knowledge, skills, and networks you will acquire in the UK will return as seeds of innovation, leadership, and progress for our nation, particularly, at this phase of its development.”

Chevening fellow, Tijjanni Mukaddas, who will study at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, said: “I feel truly humbled and grateful that with over 18 million Nigerian children denied education, the Chevening Fellowship enables me to craft impactful policies that will integrate them into education. It’s a dream come true; I’m honoured to embark on this journey at Oxford University.”

Commonwealth scholar, Cynthia Okoli, who will study at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: “I look forward to developing my interpersonal and professional skills, as well as building lasting friendships and networks that cut across disciplines and cultures through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) events and interactions with classmates and faculties from both schools. These experiences will broaden my perspective and strengthen my ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings.”
Enda

Cross-Border Crimes: Experts Urge Stronger Control, Community Trust-Building in Northern Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

As insecurity continues to escalate across the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina axis, security experts and stakeholders have called for urgent measures to strengthen border control, enhance government commitment, and deepen collaboration among civil society organisations (CSOs), security agencies, and local communities in tackling cross-border crimes.

The call was made on Tuesday during a national deliberative session organised by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) Project, in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), with funding support from the European Union. The theme of the session was: “Curbing Cross-Border Crimes in the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Axis of the Nigeria–Niger Borderlands through Strengthened Stakeholders’ Partnership and Collaboration.”

Speaking at the session, Francis Onyekwue, National Coordinator of the Trauma Awareness and Resilience Initiative, identified the legacy of colonial border demarcations as a significant root cause of persistent security challenges in the region.

“The borders were drawn by colonial masters without regard for ethnic and linguistic realities. For example, Hausa is spoken across both sides of the Nigeria–Niger border, yet porous borders have facilitated arms smuggling, especially from the Sahel region and the Libyan crisis,” he said.

Onyekwue urged the government to move beyond symbolic border posts and adopt technology-driven surveillance and effective patrol systems. He also stressed the role of climate change in aggravating insecurity, noting that shrinking grazing land has pushed pastoralists into new territories and intensified clashes over resources.

“Countries like Libya and Burkina Faso have invested in greening dry lands to reduce migration pressures. What stops Nigeria from doing the same in the North?” he queried.

Presenting a working paper titled “Calculating Cross-Border Crimes in the So-Called Borders and the Axes of the Nigeria–Niger Border through Strengthened Stakeholders’ Partnership and Collaboration,” Dr. Abubakar Suma’ila of Usman Danfodiyo University traced the historical importance of the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina axis as a pre-colonial hub linking Sahel trade and culture. He noted that while colonial-era partition weakened these systems, post-colonial states have failed to sustain effective border management.

According to him, cross-border crimes have evolved significantly: “Armed groups now target civilians more than government forces, with criminal networks linked to arms smuggling and banditry spreading across communities. The ethnicization of this conflict is a dangerous myth. Evidence shows that many criminal actors operate irrespective of ethnic lines.”

Suma’ila called for coordinated intelligence-sharing, robust community engagement, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to address the complexity of emerging threats.

Also speaking, Kumah L.J., Assistant Comptroller of Customs, emphasised building trust with border communities as a critical step toward improving security.

“Cross-border insecurity is a national issue and cannot be solved overnight. Security personnel must work closely with local communities to gather frontline intelligence beyond surface-level information. Agencies must collaborate and share intelligence for effective operations,” he stated.

Manji Mangrock, Programme Manager at WANEP Abuja, highlighted the complementary role of CSOs in peacebuilding and security.

“Our work focuses on peace education, good governance, and conflict documentation. CSOs provide raw data and advocacy support to security agencies. What is needed now is a stronger partnership and coordination to avoid duplication of efforts and maximise impact.”

Similarly, Jennifer Alaeda, Principal Relief Officer at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), underscored the importance of youth inclusion in countering insecurity. She called for education, advocacy, and mentorship programs to break the cycle of violence while urging research institutions to share challenges and lessons to strengthen collective responses.

Cross-Border Crimes: Experts Urge Stronger Control, Community Trust-Building in Northern Nigeria