‘No words can capture magnitude of this loss,’ Elumelu mourns colleagues lost to Afriland Towers fire incident, pledges support
Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu has cut short his trip to the United States ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to mourn staff of the Bank and her sister companies who died in the Afriland Towers fire incident on Tuesday.
Elumelu confirmed the deaths in an emotional statement on Wednesday, describing the incident as devastating.
“We and others lost colleagues in the fire at Afriland Towers. As a community, we are grieving for all and doing what we can to support their families and loved ones.”
Elumelu also addressed an initial statement issued by UBA Group’s communications team, saying it was “put out in haste, without understanding the full gravity of what happened.”
He added that the statement “does not reflect how deeply saddened we are. The loss of a life is painful, all the more so when it is family and friends. We are praying for all the lives lost.”
He further shared that the group had paused operations to honour those who perished, emphasising the personal and organisational impact of the tragedy.
“Our Group paused today to reflect and remember all who passed. They are irreplaceable and will remain in our memories always. May their souls rest in perfect peace and may God comfort their loved ones and us all.
“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss, not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them,” Elumelu said.
According to reports, the fire broke out on September 16 in the inverter room of Afriland Towers, quickly spreading smoke throughout the six-storey building, including emergency exits. While emergency services contained the blaze within hours, the human toll has raised fresh questions about corporate preparedness and the adequacy of safety infrastructure in Lagos’s central business district.
Elumelu announced that all Heirs Holdings companies and UBA, would observe a minute’s silence at noon on Wednesday. He also pledged memorial services and financial support for the bereaved families, urging colleagues to assist survivors receiving medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Afriland Properties Plc, the tower’s owner and manager has confirmed the origin of the fire but has not commented on casualties, stressing instead that safety protocols were followed and that the swift response of the Lagos State and Federal Fire Services helped to prevent greater damage.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones,” Afriland said in its statement.
Afriland, listed on the Nigerian Exchange, manages a portfolio of commercial and residential assets.
The tragedy has reignited long-standing concerns over Lagos Island’s overstretched infrastructure. Broad Street, the city’s historic commercial artery, is packed with banks, law firms,corporate headquarters, amongst other edifices. Yet fire outbreaks, traffic gridlock, and inadequate enforcement of building regulations remain perennial risks.
At the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said investigations into the cause are ongoing.
