The Federal Government has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to adopt innovative, technology-driven fire prevention measures to tackle the rising incidents of fire disasters across the industry.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, said recent fire outbreaks within the sector underscore the urgent need for smarter safety strategies.
The minister was represented by the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, at a one-day forum themed “Advancing Fire Safety in the Oil and Gas Sector of Nigeria through Technological Solutions.”
He stressed that ensuring fire safety in the oil sector cannot be driven by government alone, urging private sector players, regulators, and technology innovators to work together in deploying modern safety infrastructure.
Tunji-Ojo said, “The oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, accounting for a significant portion of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
“However, the sector’s operations come with inherent risks — particularly fire hazards that threaten lives, the environment, and national economic stability.
“Recent fire outbreaks at oil facilities, tanker explosions, and pipeline vandalism incidents have reinforced the urgent need for innovative, technology-driven solutions to enhance safety and disaster preparedness.
The cost of neglecting fire safety far outweighs the investment in prevention so let us prioritise proactive measures over reactive firefighting-both literally and figuratively.
“The Federal Government alone cannot drive this change, it requires the active participation of industry stakeholders, technology providers, and regulatory bodies.”
He also called for improved regulatory compliance, emergency response training, and investment in fire safety technologies across oil installations
Tunji-Ojo said, “The Ministry of Interior under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will continue to support initiatives that promote safety in critical sectors, including the oil and gas industry.
“We are open to partnerships that will drive innovation, improve regulations, and ultimately save lives and protect national assets.”
Also speaking, the National President of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, recommended the widespread adoption of F-500 encapsulator firefighting technology.
He described it as a game-changer for suppressing fuel-based fires more efficiently than traditional methods.
The traditional firefighting methods often fail to rapidly suppress fuel fires, leading to prolonged incidents and greater destruction. F-500 presents a transformative solution,” he said.
He urged regulators to mandate the use of F-500 in new and existing oil facilities, and called for staff training and deployment of mobile units in fire trucks.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority also said there were ongoing efforts to address the increasing rate of fire tanker explosions.
The Executive Director of HSEC, Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, said a technical working committee had been set up to enforce new safety protocols, including capping truck loading capacity at 60,000 litres and ensuring all petroleum trucks are fitted with anti-spill devices and pass roadworthiness tests.
“Introduction of safety law initiative so that from the point of loading, the drivers are inspected to be sure that they are fit as well as road worthy.
“Ensuring that only trucks fitted with anti-spill devices and proper safety fittings are permitted to load products amongst other intervention approaches,” he added.
