Governor Sanwo-Olu orders demolition of the Great Nigeria Insurance House after a fire, hospitalizing victims and causing partial collapses on Lagos Island.
Lagos State authorities have ordered the demolition of a 22-storey commercial building in the heart of Lagos Island after a major fire left the structure severely damaged and raised fears of further collapse.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the decision on Thursday after visiting the site of the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, where flames tore through the high-rise a day earlier. The blaze injured several people and caused sections of the building to partially cave in, according to emergency officials.
Up to 10 people were taken to hospitals for treatment, Sanwo-Olu said, adding that no deaths had been confirmed. Rescue teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, or LASEMA, were deployed to evacuate victims and secure the area.
“This building has had repeated fire incidents over the last few years, and we are seeing the same troubling pattern again,” the governor told reporters at the scene. He said structural damage from the latest fire made the building unsafe for continued use.
Officials confirmed that at least two partial collapses occurred within the main structure, prompting concerns that the entire building could fail. As a result, the state government decided that a controlled demolition was the safest option.
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Sanwo-Olu said a special committee, led by the commissioner for special duties, has been established to oversee the demolition process. The team has been tasked with selecting a “world-class” method to safely bring down the building within days, while minimizing risks to surrounding properties.
The fire also spread beyond the main tower, damaging nearby structures. According to the governor, two neighboring buildings were heavily affected, while at least three others sustained partial damage. Authorities have cordoned off the area and are monitoring adjacent buildings for structural integrity.
In a later statement posted on social media platform X, Sanwo-Olu pledged support for residents, businesses, and workers affected by the incident.
“We will continue to assess the situation and provide support to those impacted,” he wrote. “Lagos has always shown strength in difficult moments, and we will get through this together.”
Fire outbreaks are a recurring concern in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city, where aging buildings, overloaded electrical systems, and limited compliance with safety standards have contributed to repeated incidents. Authorities have faced growing pressure to enforce stricter building inspections and safety regulations, particularly in densely built commercial districts like Lagos Island.
State officials said investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, while emergency teams remain on standby as preparations for demolition move forward.
