The Senate Committee on Interior has proposed safeguards to prevent qualified senior officers of the Federal Fire Service from being bypassed in the appointment of the Controller-General, warning that such decisions could trigger premature retirements and undermine career progression.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, stated this on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the consideration of a bill seeking to repeal the existing Fire Service Act and establish a new legal framework for the service.
Oshiomhole argued that the proposed legislation should prioritise serving Deputy Controllers-General for appointment as Controller-General, except where objective factors, including age, years of service or other eligibility requirements, make them unsuitable.
He expressed concern that appointing a more junior officer could compel senior personnel to retire prematurely, even when they had not attained the statutory retirement age or completed their years of service.
According to him, the law should promote fairness, merit and international best practices rather than retain administrative practices simply because they had become established.
The committee chairman questioned a provision that would allow the President to appoint the Controller-General from among serving officers not below the rank of Assistant Controller-General, arguing that it could undermine seniority and create uncertainty in the service’s promotion system.
He maintained that the legislation should establish clear conditions for departing from the principle of appointing serving Deputy Controllers-General, rather than grant the appointing authority unrestricted discretion to select a more junior officer.
Oshiomhole acknowledged that similar practices existed in other security institutions, including the police and military, but said their existence did not automatically justify incorporating them into the new law.
During the meeting, a senator who is a retired military officer asked whether the Federal Fire Service operated an age-or-rank rule similar to the military, under which officers could be required to leave the service when a junior officer was promoted above them.
In response, the committee was informed that an officer appointed as Controller-General must have at least 18 months remaining before retirement. Those who do not meet the requirement may serve in an acting capacity but cannot be appointed substantively.
The committee also examined provisions on the disclosure of official information and the confidentiality obligations of fire service personnel.
The proposed legislation requires officers and personnel to protect information obtained in the course of their official duties and prohibits its use for personal or unauthorised purposes.
However, exceptions are provided for disclosures required by a court of competent jurisdiction or permitted under the proposed law, while preserving citizens’ rights of access to information under the Freedom of Information Act and other applicable laws.
Oshiomhole stressed that confidentiality provisions must not be used to undermine citizens’ rights to information and accountability, adding that the legislation must remain consistent with the Constitution and existing laws.
The committee chairman also questioned a proposed general penalty for violations of the legislation where no specific punishment had been prescribed.
The provision stipulates a fine of N200,000, imprisonment for two months, or both, upon conviction.
Lawmakers further discussed the repeal of the existing Fire Service Act and the need for adequate transitional provisions to address the legal status of actions taken under the previous law.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, MBA, MDRM, FCNA, ACTI, represented the service at the meeting, where its management expressed appreciation to the committee for its work.
Oshiomhole said the committee would subject the bill to further scrutiny, including reviewing provisions that required additional clarification, to ensure that the final legislation was clear, fair and effective.
He emphasised the need for lawmakers to avoid rushing the process, noting that a thorough examination of the proposed provisions was necessary to produce a law that would serve the interests of the Federal Fire Service, its personnel and the public.
Tighten the report for online readers
Strengthen the lead with Oshiomhole’s main concern
Clarify the Controller-General appointment rule
