Tinubu Appointed Fire Service Chief Based on Merit — Interior Minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Olumide Adeyemi as the new Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) was driven solely by merit, not personal affiliations.

Speaking at Adeyemi’s official decoration ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the minister described the appointment as a rare opportunity and urged the new CG to focus on leaving a lasting legacy. He emphasized that President Tinubu considers only competence and capability when making appointments, regardless of personal relationships.

“The President didn’t consider your background or connections, only your qualifications and readiness to serve. He has placed his trust in you—make sure you earn it,” Tunji-Ojo said. He encouraged Adeyemi to embrace the challenges of leadership, warning that resistance is inevitable and that true leadership demands conviction and courage, not popularity.

The minister also noted the critical role of the Fire Service in national safety and emphasized that any loss of life in fire-related incidents should be considered a failure of the system. He disclosed that the National Assembly is working on a new Fire Service Act aimed at strengthening rescue operations and improving service delivery.

In his acceptance remarks, CG Olumide Adeyemi expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust placed in him and pledged to serve with integrity, discipline, and effective leadership. He also thanked the Interior Minister for creating an enabling environment for reform and excellence within the agency.

Adeyemi acknowledged the support of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and the CDCFIB Secretary, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd.), for their roles in facilitating his elevation. Vowing to work closely with stakeholders and personnel across all levels, he said his vision is to transform the FFS into a benchmark for professionalism and public trust.

The ceremony also marked his formal succession of former CG, Engr. Abdulganiyu Kaji.