A recent fire outbreak at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) plaza on Lagos Island has once again brought to the fore the critical need for functional in-house fire safety mechanisms across Nigeria’s commercial and public institutions.

The five-storey building, housing banking operations, shops, warehouses, and offices, was engulfed in flames, resulting in panic and evacuation, with damage still being assessed. Earlier reports confirmed that the fire originated in the inverter room, a common high-risk area in modern buildings, especially where power backup systems are heavily relied upon due to erratic power supply.
This incident is not isolated. Fire outbreaks across Nigeria have continued to escalate in both frequency and severity. In 2024 alone, over 100 lives were lost to fire-related incidents, with property damage estimated at over ₦67.1 billion. These are only the reported figures; countless minor incidents go undocumented or are quietly resolved, often at significant cost. The Nigeria Federal Fire Service reported that it was able to save property and infrastructure worth a staggering ₦1.94 trillion in that same year, a testament to the critical role firefighting agencies play in national safety and economic stability.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, from January to August 2024, 271 fire incidents were recorded. These resulted in the rescue of 11 lives and the preservation of property valued at over ₦8.2 billion. However, about ₦1.96 billion worth of assets were still lost, highlighting the gap between rapid response and the ability to mitigate complete destruction. Lagos State, being the country’s commercial nerve center, recorded over 1,000 fire incidents in just the first half of 2025, with 62 deaths and property damage exceeding ₦10.7 billion. These figures are more than just statistics; they represent jobs lost, families displaced, businesses crippled, and, in some tragic cases, lives cut short.
Given the overwhelming data and the constant risk posed by fire outbreaks, the question arises: why do many organisations still operate without a functional in-house firefighting system? Time and again, fire incidents have shown that early detection and immediate response are the most effective ways to prevent large-scale damage. In-house firefighting units—comprising trained personnel, fire alarms, extinguishers, water sprinklers, smoke control systems, and emergency exits—are often the difference between a controllable incident and a full-scale disaster. In the UBA plaza incident, for example, delays in managing the initial source of the fire allowed smoke and flames to spread across several floors, disrupting business operations and endangering lives.
Beyond preventing loss of life and property, in-house fire safety readiness relieves pressure on overstretched external fire services. The Federal Fire Service, while commendable in its efforts, often faces logistical and resource-based challenges, from inadequate fire trucks to delayed access due to traffic or infrastructure issues. If every medium to large-scale organisation had basic fire suppression mechanisms and trained first responders, the impact of most fire outbreaks could be drastically reduced.
There are also significant legal and financial implications for organisations that neglect fire safety. Businesses without fire prevention systems are likely to face higher insurance premiums and may even lose their ability to claim compensation following fire damage. Regulatory non-compliance could lead to costly legal consequences, especially if investigations reveal lapses in duty of care. From a reputational standpoint, companies that fail to protect their employees, clients, and assets are likely to suffer long-term damage, not just financially but also in terms of public trust.
Despite these clear risks, regulatory enforcement in Nigeria remains weak. The Nigeria Fire Service Act of 1963, still in use today, is grossly outdated and lacks the power to enforce modern safety standards. While a new Fire Service Bill is under consideration, delays in legislative processes have hampered its implementation. Until then, fire safety remains largely a matter of self-regulation—something many organisations are not willing to invest in unless compelled.
This is why the new administration of Controller General Samuel Adeyemi Olumode must make it an urgent priority to sanction erring organisations that fail to comply with fire safety regulations. As the nation’s top fire safety authority, Olumode’s leadership marks a critical opportunity to change the narrative. For too long, the absence of deterrent measures has allowed businesses, schools, government buildings, and high-rise developers to treat fire safety as an afterthought. The result is predictable: frequent fire disasters that could have been avoided with minimal investment in prevention.
Sanctions serve as a deterrent and a catalyst for compliance. Without them, enforcement becomes toothless, and fire codes are reduced to mere recommendations. By holding organisations accountable—whether through fines, license suspensions, public blacklisting, or temporary shutdowns—Controller General Olumode can send a clear message: negligence is no longer acceptable. Fire safety is not optional.
Furthermore, sanctioning non-compliant institutions aligns with the Federal Fire Service’s mandate to protect lives and property. It shows that the agency is not just reactive—responding to emergencies—but proactive, shaping behavior and compelling institutions to take responsibility for their environments. By actively penalizing organisations that ignore fire safety codes, Olumode would also be fulfilling the constitutional duty of safeguarding public safety, particularly in urban centers where the risk of high-casualty fires is exponentially higher.
Such actions would also support the campaign for the passage of the new Fire Service Bill by demonstrating the practical need for stronger regulatory backing. The more enforcement gaps the current system exposes, the greater the public and legislative pressure to empower the Fire Service with updated laws. Controller General Olumode’s leadership could be the bridge between outdated policies and modern fire safety standards.
Organisations must also take their own initiative. Functional firefighting systems should no longer be considered optional or “nice to have.” They are essential. Every business should have smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, a trained emergency response team, regular drills, and an evacuation plan. High-risk areas such as generator rooms, inverter rooms, storage facilities, and kitchens should be specially equipped and regularly inspected. Staff must be trained on basic fire prevention, first aid, and how to use firefighting equipment.
The fires at UBA’s buildings in Lagos and similar incidents across the country are stark warnings. The cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of damage, yet many wait until disaster strikes before taking action. It is time for both government regulators and private organisations to view fire safety not as a compliance checkbox but as a fundamental aspect of responsible business and public protection.
As Nigeria’s urban infrastructure grows and more complex buildings emerge, fire risks will only increase. Without robust internal and external fire prevention systems, the country risks greater losses—economic, structural, and human. The time to act is now. Not when the fire breaks out, but long before it ever begins.
Would you like me to prepare an editorial version of this for newspaper publication, or a speech draft for the Controller General himself?