FG Targets Tech Overhaul To Curb Deadly Fires

The federal government has strongly called for an urgent technological overhaul of fire safety systems in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. It cites rising incidents of facility fires, tanker explosions, and pipeline vandalism as critical threats to lives, the environment, and economic stability.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged industry players to adopt smart detection systems, automated suppression technologies, and data-driven emergency response tools, stressing that proactive investment in safety innovation is no longer optional but essential to safeguarding national assets and sustaining economic growth.

Tunji-Ojo, who issued a clarion call for the urgent integration of modern technology into fire safety systems, cited recent disasters as stark reminders of the risks posed by outdated safety infrastructure.
He made this assertion yesterday in Abuja during a One-Day Stakeholder Forum on “Advancing Fire Safety within the Oil and Gas Sector of Nigeria through Technological Solutions,” organised by the Federal Fire Service (FFS) in collaboration with industry partners and safety regulators.

In his keynote address, the Minister praised the Federal Fire Service, under the leadership of Controller-General Engr. Jaji Olola Abdulganiyu, for convening what he called a “Timely and Strategic Engagement” in a sector that remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

He stated, “The oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, but it is also fraught with inherent fire risks that threaten lives, the environment, and our national economic stability. We must act decisively to address these threats with modern, intelligent solutions. ”

Dr Tunji-Ojo underscored the critical need for a technology-first approach to fire safety, listing AI-driven smart detection systems, automated suppression technologies, drone-assisted emergency response, and predictive analytics as urgent priorities for both public and private stakeholders.

“Recent fire outbreaks in oil facilities, tanker explosions, and pipeline vandalism incidents demand more than rhetoric. We must move from discussion to implementation, from awareness to measurable impact,” he said.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Interior, in partnership with agencies like the FFS, is committed to fostering policy frameworks that accelerate the deployment of such innovations.

He, however, warned that the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility. “This forum is a launchpad for real collaboration. The private sector, regulators, and tech innovators must invest, comply, and build capacity. The cost of neglect is too high, financially, environmentally, and in human lives.”

He concluded by strongly reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to a safe and secure Nigeria: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive safely. The Federal Government will continue to support initiatives that protect lives, assets, and national interests.”

Stakeholders from across the oil and gas industry, technology companies, emergency response agencies, and international partners attended the event, which many hailed as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s journey toward a more resilient and technologically equipped safety regime.

Earlier, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service ( FFS), Engr Jaji Abdulganiyu, emphasised the urgent need to integrate cutting-edge technology into Nigeria’s oil and gas fire safety framework, citing the sector’s high-risk nature and vital role in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

Engr. Abdulganiyu said the forum reflects a shared responsibility to protect lives, critical assets, and the environment from fire-related disasters.

He said, “The oil and gas sector, with its flammable materials and complex logistics, carries inherent fire risks that require proactive, technology-led solutions. From AI-powered detection systems to automated suppression technologies and drone-assisted emergency response, we must embrace innovation to address today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s threats.”

Engr Jaji called on all stakeholders, regulators, private sector players, and technology providers to actively collaborate in building a resilient fire safety ecosystem.

He highlighted key technological priorities, including real-time hazard monitoring through IoT, advanced suppression systems for high-risk facilities, data analytics for predictive risk management, and simulation-based training for emergency personnel.

The CG also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Interior and industry partners for their support, urging participants to move from discussion to action in securing Nigeria’s economic backbone through sustainable fire safety reforms.

Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, the national president of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), advocated for the immediate adoption of F-500 encapsulator firefighting technology across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as a critical step toward improving emergency response and fire safety.

He emphasised that integrating F-500 technology at retail outlets, depots, and other high-risk sites would significantly enhance safety, enforce regulatory compliance, reduce operational risks, and offer cost-effective and environmentally friendly fire suppression.

Also speaking, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, executive director for Safety, Environment, and Community (HSEC) at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), revealed that the Authority had established a technical working committee in response to the increasing frequency of tanker fires and explosions.

He said the committee, comprising industry experts and regulators, was tasked with delivering actionable solutions to curb such incidents.

Dr Lamorde affirmed that these interventions aim to enhance safety, reduce accidents in transit, and promote responsible operations across the midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry.