Sanwo-Olu Orders Demolition of 25-Storey Great Nigeria Building Gutted by Fire

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the demolition of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, following a devastating fire outbreak that engulfed the building and adjoining structures, raising serious safety and structural integrity concerns.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the directive on Thursday when he visited the scene of the incident to assess the level of damage and commiserate with victims, noting that the magnitude of destruction could not be adequately captured by official reports alone.

The governor disclosed that no fewer than seven to 10 persons were hospitalised as a result of the incident, lamenting that the affected building had recorded multiple fire outbreaks in recent years.

He also noted that parts of the structure had already suffered partial collapses, making the continued existence of the building unsafe for residents, emergency responders and surrounding properties.

Sanwo-Olu announced the constitution of a committee, to be chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties, to determine and implement the most appropriate and safest method to demolish the entire building within the shortest possible time.

“In the last couple of years, this same building has had fire incidents on one or two occasions, and it’s the same issue that we have noticed over the years. We’ve taken about seven to 10 persons to the hospital with the LASEMA ambulances that we have, and due to the partial collapses already recorded, the entire building will eventually have to come down,” the governor said.

“I have set up a committee that will bring forward the best world-class model of demolition to be adopted. Unfortunately, this fire has also affected other buildings around, with some heavily impacted and others partially affected, so we are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

The governor later assured Lagos residents of continued support for those affected, while authorities confirmed that the fire, which started around 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve from the fifth floor of the building, also damaged nearby structures including the Radio Nigeria building, Oluwole Plaza and a mosque.