Afriland Towers Inferno: APRC mourns loss of 10 lives, calls for safer measures

Nigeria

A Consortium company positioned to monitor and frame a model for an institutional based society, has decried the loss of lives at the recent tragic fire incident that claimed at least ten lives in Nigeria’s southwest Lagos tower building, known as Afriland Towers, located at the commercial city Island. 

Describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, the watchdog company also known as African Policy and Research Consortium, tasked government and institutions to adhere strictly to safety measures and regulations.

Speaking in a statement sent to our correspondent on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Coordinator, APRC, Prof. Steve Azaiki, said the incident sounds another alarm bell demanding systemic reforms.

Azaiki, said the catastrophe has once again exposed the gaps in emergency response, fire prevention infrastructure, and occupational safety standards, recalling also, similar incidents across Africa with references to the 2019 fire at Onitsha’s Ochanja Market that ravaged lives and livelihoods, the Twin Tower blaze in Nairobi (2018) that exposed infrastructure fragility, and the 1994 Asafo Market inferno in Kumasi, which remains etched in Ghana’s history.

According to him: “This devastating incident, which claimed the lives of ten cherished individuals, including employees of Heirs Holdings and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life and the urgent need to safeguard public spaces. Beyond institutional and structural concerns, this tragedy underscores the irreplaceable value of human contribution, the connections we forge, and the hopes we nurture. 

“In this moment of grief, the APRC reaffirms its commitment to advancing policies that prioritize human dignity, safety, and resilience, ensuring that the promise of Africa’s future is never dimmed by preventable loss.

“We stand in heartfelt solidarity with the families, colleagues, and communities now bearing the immense weight of grief. The individuals we mourn were far more than professionals at their desks; they were mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, mentors and friends whose skill, dedication, and spirit enlivened the institutions they served. 

“Their absence leaves a void that no ceremony or memorial can ever fill, yet their legacies endure, etched in the collective memory of Nigeria’s civic and economic community. This tragedy compels us not only to reflect but to act, to ensure that measures are put in place to protect lives, fortify safety protocols, and cultivate a culture where human life is honored as the most precious resource”, he said.

Azaiki however, commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government for responding in containing the fire incident.

“We commend the courage of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, first responders, and ordinary citizens who braved chaos and smoke to save lives. 

“Yet we must be candid: Africa cannot continue to mourn preventable deaths from infrastructure fires. The rapid spread of smoke from the basement inverter room to multiple floors underscores both the vulnerability of high-rise buildings and the insufficiency of current safety protocols.

“We therefore call upon governments at every level – federal, state, and municipal to, Strengthen emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that fire stations, hydrants, and safety equipment are strategically located, fully functional, and properly maintained. Mandate rigorous compliance with occupational and building safety codes, particularly in commercial high-rises where thousands of lives are at stake daily.

Invest in training and drills so that employees, visitors, and first responders are adequately prepared for crisis scenarios. Create collaborative frameworks with the private sector, where institutions like Heirs Holdings and UBA can co-lead in setting exemplary safety standards across the continent”, the statement reads.