LAGOS STATE GOV. PROMISES TOUGH MEASURES TO PREVENT FIRE, BUILDING COLLAPSE

Lagos, Nigeria — January 2, 2026

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to take tough but necessary decisions to curb the rising cases of fire outbreaks and building collapse across the state.

The Governor made this known during an inspection of the 22-storey Great Nigeria House, which was gutted by fire and subsequently collapsed about ten days ago. He noted that preliminary assessments showed that the integrity of the remaining portion of the structure could not be guaranteed, a situation that has delayed the commencement of excavation and debris removal at the site.
Governor Sanwo-Olu directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to urgently clamp down on substandard and poorly constructed buildings, which he identified as major contributors to the recurring incidents of building collapse and fire disasters in the state.

While commiserating with the families of the victims affected by the tragedy, the Governor emphasized the state government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and preventing a recurrence of such incidents. He also called for the cooperation of relevant federal agencies and multinational companies, particularly in providing technical expertise required to safely bring down the remaining structure and enable immediate excavation.
As of the time of the inspection, eight bodies had been recovered from the debris, while rescue and recovery efforts continue.

The Governor reiterated that public safety remains a top priority of his administration and assured residents that stricter enforcement of building regulations would be pursued to protect lives and property across Lagos State.