Sanwo-Olu urges calm over GNI building fire outbreak

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged residents of the state to remain calm following a fire incident at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Omotoso stated that no casualty was recorded in the incident, while the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

Omotoso said Sanwo-Olu, who had 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 evacuation of adjoining buildings.

According to him, the distress call was received at about 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 Headquarters.

Fire razes 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos

“The firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at about 4:53 p.m., and commenced coordinated containment operations,” the commissioner said.

Omotoso added that preliminary reports indicated that the fire started from the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other levels.

The commissioner explained that the affected structure, which was formerly used as corporate office space, currently serves mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.

Omotoso said the governor remained in constant communication with emergency responders and security agencies well into the early hours of the morning.

Sanwo-Olu also commended firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response, assuring Lagosians that the situation is under control.

“Lagosians should remain calm; The situation is under control,” Sanwo-Olu added.

The Star