The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Lagos Island Cell has issued a stark warning about the safety of skyscrapers in Lagos Island, following a series of devastating fires. The group's concern comes in the wake of the recent inferno that gutted the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Martins Street.
A Pattern of Neglect and Systemic Failure
The guild insists that the fires at the Afriland Building and the GNI House are not isolated accidents. They represent clear signs of deep-rooted systemic failures in adhering to fire safety standards during the operational life of these buildings. Unlike one-time design flaws, the ongoing operational lapses are turning Lagos Island's towers into persistent fire hazards.
These lapses include the unsafe conversion of office spaces into warehouses packed with flammable goods, poor enforcement of fire codes, and the inadequate maintenance of fire protection systems. The GNI House, which has now suffered two major blazes in its history, stands as a prime example of how neglecting operational standards leads to repeated disasters.
The Great Nigeria Insurance Inferno: A Crisis Unfolding
The BCPG, which visited the site at 47/57 Martins Street for an assessment, warned of the imminent danger of the razed structure collapsing. Alarmingly, the fire began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, and was still not fully extinguished days later.
As of 11:00 a.m. on December 27, 2025, firefighting efforts were severely hampered. Additional fire engines and water tankers struggled to access the site, causing chaos on surrounding streets like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Martins, Gbajumo, Kosoko, and Alli Balogun. During the blaze, explosive spalling of concrete sent burning debris flying across the road, forcing bystanders to flee. The building subsequently suffered a partial collapse, escalating public safety fears.
The guild extended its condolences to families who lost loved ones and property, and expressed sympathy to those injured during the festive season tragedy.
A Decade of Devastation on the Skyline
In a statement signed by Coordinator Mubarak Gbaja-Biamila and Secretary Femi Oyedele, the BCPG highlighted a disturbing history of neglect. Lagos Island's skyline has been repeatedly scarred by fire over the past decade:
- 2013: GNI House suffered its first major fire.
- 2014: Financial Trust House was engulfed.
- 2015: Bookshop House, a heritage landmark, was affected.
- 2016: UBA House at Marina was struck.
- 2017: Elephant House burned.
- 2018: Unity House caught fire.
- 2019: Western House was damaged.
This pattern has severely eroded public confidence in the safety of the area's skyscrapers.
Urgent Call for Action and Proposed Solutions
The BCPG has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all relevant state authorities to take immediate, decisive action. The misuse of buildings, where corporate towers are converted into shops and warehouses filled with combustibles, is fuelling disaster risks. This unsafe remodelling and poor oversight has already forced some organisations to relocate.
The guild proposed a comprehensive framework to prevent further devastation:
- Commission a transparent, public investigation into the GNI fire immediately.
- Conduct a comprehensive audit of all Lagos Island high-rises within 90 days to assess fire safety and structural integrity.
- Empower a safety commission to enforce compliance, publish annual reports, and sanction violators without political interference, focusing on the neglected operational phase.
- Define and enforce clear penalties for landlords, contractors, and officials who neglect fire codes.
- Mandate annual public disclosure of fire safety status for all high-rise structures.
- Enforce compulsory fire insurance for all high-rise and commercial buildings as per the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025.
- Create a dedicated Fire Safety Fund financed by government budgets, insurance levies, and public-private partnerships.
- Prosecute those who approved unsafe remodelling and landlords who rent out buildings without fire protection facilities.
The BCPG's urgent appeal underscores the critical need to safeguard lives, property, and Nigeria's commercial and cultural heritage on Lagos Island from preventable disasters.
