Experts raise alarm over recurring high-rise buildings’ fires

Built environment professionals, under the auspices of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), have expressed concern over the recurring high-rise building fires on Lagos Island.

They recalled that the most recent fire incidents occurred at the Afriland Tower and the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House.

These incidents, they said, were not isolated accidents but rather clear indicators of systemic failures in fire safety compliance during the operational phase of buildings.

Unlike one-time design flaws, the professionals pointed out that operational lapses such as unsafe conversions of offices into warehouses, poor enforcement of fire codes, and inadequate maintenance of fire protection systems have continued to turn Lagos Island’s towers into fire hazards.

BCPG added that the misuse of Lagos Island’s high-rise buildings is fueling disaster risks.

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According to the group, many towers have been converted from their approved corporate use into shops and warehouses packed with combustible materials, creating conditions that heighten fire hazards.

This pattern of unsafe remodelling, poor oversight, and unregulated occupation, the group said has already forced organisations to relocate, leaving several buildings underutilised.

These were contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator, BCPG, Lagos Island Cell, Mubarak Gbajabiamila, a builder and its secretary, Mr Femi Oyedele, an estate surveyor, calling for urgent government’s actions to regulate usage, enforce safety standards, and strengthen oversight to close these gaps.

The group noted that the GNI House, which had experienced not less than two major fires in its history, exemplified how neglect of operational fire standards allowed hazards to persist with devastating consequences.

Reeling out the timeline of Lagos Island high-rise fires, the group said: “The story of Lagos Island’s skyline is marked by repeated fire outbreaks that have scarred some of its most prominent towers. In 2013, the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House suffered a devastating blaze that gutted the 25-storey building on Martins Street. The incident left the tower derelict and unsafe, setting the tone for years of concern about fire safety in the district.

“The following year, in 2014, the Financial Trust House was engulfed by flames, underscoring that compliance lapses were not confined to a single property.

“By 2015, the Bookshop House—an important heritage landmark—was affected, drawing attention to the vulnerability of historic structures. The pattern continued in 2016, when UBA House at Marina was struck by fire, though the outbreak was contained before causing catastrophic damage.

“In 2017, Elephant House burned, followed by Unity House in 2018, and Western House in 2019.

“Each incident chipped away at public confidence in the safety of Lagos Island’s skyscrapers, reinforcing the perception of systemic neglect.”

“The cycle did not relent. In 2021, the Chellarams Building was lost to fire, and in 2022, Independence House—another cultural monument—was scarred by flames. Then, in 2025, multiple tragedies unfolded: Afriland Tower was struck, Mandilas House went up in flames, and on Christmas Eve, the GNI House was engulfed once more.”

 “The blaze led to partial collapse of the already fire-ravaged tower, endangering nearby structures, including the historic ShittaBey Mosque,” it added.

The duo of Gbajabiamila and Oyedele raised the alarm over the

repeated fire outbreaks in Lagos Island, saying they have dramatically heightened risks across the Center Business District, with each incident inflicting structural damage, eroding public confidence in the safety of high-rise buildings while disrupting commercial activities in Nigeria’s foremost business district.

“Property losses already run into billions of naira, and constant exposure to fire hazards steadily increases the likelihood of catastrophic collapse. The consequences extend beyond economics. Lagos Island’s towers and historic landmarks, such as Bookshop House, Independence House and others, are integral to the city’s identity and Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Their destruction would scar the skyline, erase collective memory, diminish tourism potential, and weaken national pride,” they said.

Citing global best practices, the group said: “High-rise buildings symbolise development and modernisation worldwide.

“For example, China has over 3,400 buildings exceeding 30 floors; New York City has more than 300; and Chicago has over 100.

“These cities sustain strict maintenance routines and emergency preparedness protocols to prevent disasters.”

“In contrast, Lagos Island’s high-rises suffer from poor maintenance and inadequate emergency response capacity, leaving them dangerously vulnerable to fires and potential collapses,” the statement by BCPG read.

It warned that the Central Business District (CBD) must enforce discipline, safety standards, and compliance across all high-rise structures, counting the human cost and economic impact of GNI Building’s fire across Lagos.

“Lives were lost in the GNI Building fire, a tragic reminder of the human cost of inadequate preparedness. However, the recurring fires in Lagos State generally have also imposed immense economic burdens.

“According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, property losses from fire incidents in the past year alone exceeded N19 billion, while assets valued at N117 billion were salvaged. These figures underscore the significant strain on businesses, insurers, and government resources.

“Each fire outbreak disrupts commercial activities within Nigeria’s most vital business district, leading to evacuations, halting trade, and eroding investor confidence.

The cumulative effect of these fires is not only damage to physical assets but also a damaging blow to Lagos’ reputation as a secure hub for trade and investment,” the statement read.