Afriland Towers
By Victory Oghene
The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a continental alliance of distinguished think tanks, research institutions, diaspora research centers, and policy leaders dedicated to shaping evidence-based governance, sustainable development, and social equity, is currently mourning those who lost their livea in the Afriland Towers fire incident.Â
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Coordinator, African Policy and Research Consortium, Professor Steve Azaiki and made available to NATIONAL WAVESÂ
The statement reads “The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), mourns with profound sorrow the tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Lagos Island. This devastating incident, which claimed the lives of ten cherished individuals, including employees of Heirs Holdings and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life and the urgent need to safeguard public spaces. Beyond institutional and structural concerns, this tragedy underscores the irreplaceable value of human contribution, the connections we forge, and the hopes we nurture. In this moment of grief, the APRC reaffirms its commitment to advancing policies that prioritize human dignity, safety, and resilience, ensuring that the promise of Africa’s future is never dimmed by preventable loss.
“We stand in heartfelt solidarity with the families, colleagues, and communities now bearing the immense weight of grief. The individuals we mourn were far more than professionals at their desks; they were mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, mentors and friends whose skill, dedication, and spirit enlivened the institutions they served. Their absence leaves a void that no ceremony or memorial can ever fill, yet their legacies endure, etched in the collective memory of Nigeria’s civic and economic community. This tragedy compels us not only to reflect but to act, to ensure that measures are put in place to protect lives, fortify safety protocols, and cultivate a culture where human life is honored as the most precious resource.
“This tragedy at Afriland Towers painfully echoes similar incidents across Africa: the 2019 fire at Onitsha’s Ochanja Market that ravaged lives and livelihoods, the Twin Tower blaze in Nairobi (2018) that exposed infrastructure fragility, and the 1994 Asafo Market inferno in Kumasi, which remains etched in Ghana’s history. Each of these catastrophes revealed recurring gaps in emergency response, fire prevention infrastructure, and occupational safety standards. The Afriland Towers disaster is therefore not an isolated event, it is another alarm bell demanding systemic reform.
“We commend the courage of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, first responders, and ordinary citizens who braved chaos and smoke to save lives. Yet we must be candid: Africa cannot continue to mourn preventable deaths from infrastructure fires. The rapid spread of smoke from the basement inverter room to multiple floors underscores both the vulnerability of high-rise buildings and the insufficiency of current safety protocols.
“We therefore call upon governments at every level – federal, state, and municipal to:
1. Strengthen emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that fire stations, hydrants, and safety equipment are strategically located, fully functional, and properly maintained.
2. Mandate rigorous compliance with occupational and building safety codes, particularly in commercial high-rises where thousands of lives are at stake daily.
3. Invest in training and drills so that employees, visitors, and first responders are adequately prepared for crisis scenarios.
4. Create collaborative frameworks with the private sector, where institutions like Heirs Holdings and UBA can co-lead in setting exemplary safety standards across the continent.
“Afriland Towers was more than a building; it was a hub of enterprise, a symbol of modern Nigeria, and a testament to the possibilities of African-led development. That it has become the site of such grief must awaken in us a collective resolve: never again should avoidable tragedy diminish the value of African lives.
“Once again, on behalf of the African Policy and Research Consortium, we stand in solidarity with all affected families and institutions. We honor the memory of those who perished, and we commit ourselves to advancing policies that place human safety, dignity, and life at the very center of Africa’s development agenda.
“May the departed rest in peace, and may their sacrifice become the seed of reforms that safeguard future generations.”
