Lagos to Demolish GNI Building 10 Months After Fire

The Lagos State Government has begun the controlled demolition of the fire-damaged Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, following a devastating fire that killed eight people.

The demolition exercise commenced in July 2026, about seven months after the December 24, 2025, inferno that gutted the 25-storey commercial building and damaged nearby structures.

The operation is being coordinated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) following a structural assessment that found the building unsafe.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the exercise was designed to eliminate risks posed by the weakened structure and protect residents, traders, customers and road users in the surrounding area.

He urged members of the public to comply with safety directives, warning that the building and its immediate surroundings had been designated a restricted and hazardous zone.

The agency said unauthorised persons must stay away from the site throughout the operation. Trading, parking, loading and other commercial activities around the building were also suspended while demolition work and safety checks continued.

Authorities said the operation would follow established safety procedures, including crowd control, traffic management and measures to reduce dust and the risk of injuries from falling debris.

The fire broke out on December 24, 2025, and spread through the building, which reportedly housed warehouses and combustible goods. A section of the structure collapsed during the incident, prompting concerns about the stability of the remaining building.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered the demolition in January after a structural review identified serious safety risks. The government also indicated that some surrounding structures could be removed to prevent further danger.

The tragedy renewed concerns about fire prevention and safety enforcement in Lagos markets, particularly the storage of combustible materials in commercial buildings and unsafe generator practices.

The government has urged traders, residents and business owners in the area to cooperate with emergency and regulatory agencies until the site is declared safe.

The demolition forms part of efforts to remove the hazards left by the fire and reduce the risk of further structural collapse around the busy Lagos Island commercial district.