Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s emergency response system following a devastating fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos. The incident which caused extensive damage to property and disrupted business activities has once again exposed deep structural weaknesses in the country’s disaster management framework.
Speaking on the situation Peter Obi expressed concern over what he described as slow response time inadequate equipment and poor coordination among emergency agencies. He noted that while firefighters eventually arrived at the scene the scale of destruction suggested that critical minutes were lost which allowed the fire to spread uncontrollably.
According to him Nigeria’s growing urban population and increasing number of high rise buildings demand a more sophisticated and better funded emergency response system. He stressed that many fire stations lack modern firefighting tools functional trucks and trained personnel capable of handling complex emergencies. In his view this has turned what should be manageable incidents into large scale disasters.
Residents and business owners affected by the fire echoed similar concerns. Some eyewitnesses reported that emergency responders struggled to access the building due to poor road access and lack of water supply. Others said private individuals attempted to assist with limited resources before official help arrived.
Peter Obi argued that emergency preparedness should be treated as a core public safety issue rather than an afterthought. He called on federal and state governments to invest consistently in emergency infrastructure training and public awareness. He also emphasized the need for strict enforcement of building safety regulations to prevent fires and ensure that structures are equipped with functional fire safety systems.
The incident has reignited public debate about governance priorities and accountability. Many Nigerians believe that repeated tragedies linked to fires floods and building collapses reflect long standing neglect of essential services. Analysts warn that without decisive action such incidents will continue to undermine public confidence and economic stability.
As investigations into the Lagos fire continue Peter Obi’s remarks have added pressure on authorities to act beyond issuing condolences. For many observers the tragedy represents yet another opportunity for government to demonstrate commitment to protecting lives and property through concrete reforms rather than promises.
