Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents of the state to remain calm following a fire outbreak that engulfed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
The reassurance was conveyed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
According to the statement, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, while no casualty was recorded as of the time of filing the report.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who has been personally monitoring the situation since the incident was reported, immediately directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response efforts and ensure the evacuation of adjoining buildings to safeguard lives and property.
Omotoso disclosed that the distress call was received at 4:41 p.m., prompting an immediate response from fire crews at the Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations, with reinforcement from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa Fire Service Headquarters.
“Firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at about 4:53 p.m., and commenced coordinated containment operations,” the commissioner said.
Preliminary findings indicated that the fire originated from the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other levels.
He explained that the affected structure, which was formerly used as corporate office space, now functions mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.
The statement added that Governor Sanwo-Olu remained in constant communication with emergency responders and security agencies well into the early hours of the morning.
“As at 3:40 a.m., when the fire had largely subsided, the Governor was still receiving updates and issuing directives,” Omotoso said.
The commissioner noted that the Governor specifically instructed emergency teams to ensure that no individual was left behind in the building, stressing that the safety of lives takes precedence over property.
Quoting the Governor, Omotoso said: “Our priority is the safety of lives. I have directed that the building and its surroundings be thoroughly secured and that emergency personnel must ensure that no one is left inside. I commend our firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response. Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control.”
Security agencies have since been deployed to cordon off the affected area, while first responders continue to carry out safety assessments to prevent secondary incidents.
The Lagos State Government assured residents that it remains fully in control of the situation and will continue to provide updates as necessary.
