Federal Government Announces N5 Billion Relief Package for Kano Market Fire Victims
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged a substantial N5 billion financial assistance package to support victims of the catastrophic fire that ravaged the Singer Market in Kano State. This significant relief fund aims to help affected traders recover from the devastating losses incurred during the inferno that destroyed properties and goods worth billions of naira.
Vice President Shettima Declares Incident a National Tragedy
Vice President Kashim Shettima, leading a high-level federal government delegation to Kano, characterized the fire outbreak as a profound national tragedy affecting all Nigerians. During his sympathy visit to the market on Monday, February 16, 2026, Shettima emphasized that the losses extended beyond Kano State to impact the entire nation's economic fabric.
"This tragedy is not just Kano's loss but a loss to our entire country," Shettima stated, as reported by Daily Trust. The Vice President offered prayers for the victims and called for divine intervention to prevent future disasters of similar magnitude. He was accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Imo states during this official visit.
Market Traders Association Commits to Judicious Fund Utilization
Junaid Zakari, Chairman of the Singer Market Traders Association, expressed gratitude for what he described as a timely and generous gesture from the Federal Government. Zakari provided firm assurances that the N5 billion relief funds would be utilized responsibly and transparently to support affected traders and facilitate the restoration of business activities within the market.
"We commend the Federal Government for this crucial intervention and assure that every naira will be properly channeled to help our members recover and rebuild their livelihoods," Zakari affirmed. The market leadership has pledged to implement strict accountability measures to ensure the funds reach those most severely impacted by the disaster.
Background of the Singer Market Fire Disaster
The devastating fire at Singer Market represents the second such incident to strike the commercial hub within a two-week period, prompting President Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the repeated tragedies. Preliminary assessments indicate:
- Properties and goods worth over N5 billion completely destroyed
- More than 1,000 businesses severely affected or completely wiped out
- Seven individuals currently declared missing following the inferno
- Firefighters successfully containing the blaze after hours of intense efforts
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos as the rapidly spreading fire consumed shops and merchandise, with traders scrambling to salvage whatever belongings they could. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by relevant authorities.
Following his market visit, Vice President Shettima proceeded to Sani Abacha Stadium in Kofar Mata, Kano, for the formal reception of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress (APC). This visit was part of a broader presidential directive for Shettima to lead federal government response efforts following the market fire disaster.
