₦airaland Forum

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building affected by fire will be demolished once the inferno is completely put out.


Sanwo-Olu said this when he visited the scene of the fire incident at Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Thursday.

According to him, a committee headed by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, will oversee the smooth demolition exercise in the next few days.

He confirmed that there are no casualties and all those who suffered severe injury have been taken to the hospital.

Governor Sanwo-Olu advised residents to be safety conscious during the dry season because this is not the first time the state is experiencing inferno on Lagos Island. The governor told them to stay clear of the area.

The governor said that all first responders will remain at the scene to prevent reoccurrence of the fire incident all affected traders will be supported by the government.

More than 10 buildings were affected by the fire, which began at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House, located at Balogun Market, late Wednesday.

The following day, when Channels Television visited the scene, traders at nearby buildings were seen clearing out shops.

All shops on Martins Street have been closed, all major adjoining streets have been cordoned off, and business activities around the area have also been put on hold to prevent further escalation.

While no casualties were reported, about seven people have been hospitalised due to injuries from the fire.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Management Agency, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority are all on the ground to manage the inferno.

LibertyRep:
Chai!
25 storey to go down.

Time for the insurance companies to cough out something.

LibertyRep:
Chai!
25 storey to go down.

Time for the insurance companies to cough out something.

HgAkpobomeEr:
The GNI building should have been pulled down a long time ago.

treesun:
More than 10 buildings were affected by the fire, which began at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House, located at Balogun Market, late Wednesday.





https://www.channelstv.com/2025/12/25/sanwo-olu-inspects-fire-scene-on-lagos-island-orders-gni-building-pulled-down/Hello 👋

flexyrule:
Coincidentally, the building is owned by an insurance company.

lexyman:
I understand the building was constructed with brick, and brick is known for being highly fire-resistant. Before any decision is made to demolish it, the structure should be evaluated by qualified structural engineers to determine its true integrity after the fire. This isn’t like many modern buildings — it was built over 50 years ago by experienced professionals — so a proper structural assessment is essential before deciding its fate.


may the people that lost their means of livelihood recover from this great loss ... its sad !

mactoni91:
Can Lagos excute a controlled demolition like it's done abroad?

Just asking

Icartaway:
In 2008 Lagos did the FIRST CONTROLLED DEMOLITION In West Africa where 5,900 explosives was used to bring down the Bank of Industry Building in Lagos Island.

mactoni91:
Can Lagos excute a controlled demolition like it's done abroad?

Just asking

FreeStuffsNG:
GNI is owned by Oodua Group .

Lagos State Government is part of Oodua Group of companies owned by all the 6 south west Yoruba states as part of legacies of the Sage, Pa Chief Obafemi Awolowo,GCON leadership.

It will be rebuilt into a greater edifice by the legacy owners. This is why we remind outsiders that Lagos can never be for sale. There are multiple great assets in Lagos prime locations and all over South West like that and are never for sale.