Lagos, Nigeria — Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu carried out a thorough on‑site inspection of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building fire site on Friday, January 2, 2026, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and orderly recovery efforts following the devastating blaze that engulfed the structure late last month.
The visit came eight days after the massive fire that gutted the 25‑storey GNI building on Martin Street, Lagos Island — a once‑prominent commercial edifice that has since become structurally unsound due to intense heat and fire damage.
During his inspection, Governor Sanwo‑Olu reviewed progress on plans for a safe, phased, and well‑controlled demolition of the building, which experts have deemed necessary due to the serious compromise of the structure’s integrity. A special committee previously constituted by the governor submitted key recommendations aimed at guiding the dismantling process efficiently and with minimal risk to surrounding properties.
In briefing local media, state officials explained that shops along Martin Street remain closed, and business owners in the immediate vicinity have been instructed to relocate temporarily to safer locations while recovery and demolition planning continue.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has also set up a complaints unit at the site to assist the public — particularly families and friends of individuals who may have been in or around the building when the fire broke out — to register concerns or report missing persons.
Ongoing search and rescue operations continue around the fire site as emergency responders remain deployed to ensure that no one is left unaccounted for and to prevent further incidents. The Lagos emergency management authorities have repeatedly reassured the public that the situation remains under active monitoring, with trained personnel working tirelessly under challenging conditions.
Governor Sanwo‑Olu’s renewed inspection signals the state government’s focus on safety, accountability, and community reassurance after one of the most significant fire incidents in recent Lagos history. As demolition plans move forward and support structures are established for affected traders and residents, the administration emphasizes a balanced approach between swift action and preventive safeguards.
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