A combined photo of Tony Elumelu and his statement on the fire incident
By Our Reporter
The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has disclosed that United Bank for Africa (UBA) staff members died in the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.
The fire incident occurred on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Speaking in a statement on Wednesday, Elumelu, who is also the chairman of UBA, said he was shattered by the fire outbreak, describing the inferno as a devastating incident.
UBA has a space in the six-storey building at the Afriland Towers.
Elumelu, who failed to disclose the number of casualties recorded in the incident, said: “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.”
“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission.”
The UBA boss further revealed that he learnt of the fire outbreak while on his way to the United States, en route to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Elumelu, however, revealed that he has cut short his foreign trip to return to Lagos as “a mark of respect to our lost colleagues.”
Elumelu, who enjoined all Heirs Holdings staff to reach out to those receiving treatment, added: “In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families.”
He also thanked emergency responders and first aid workers, as well as members of the public for showing courage and compassion, noting that a minute silence will be observed across all group companies at 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Elumelu’s statement is reproduced verbatim and in extenso here under:
“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers that took the lives of our dear colleagues.
“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.
“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission.
“I learnt of this on my way to the US, enroute to New York for UNGA. I have cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues.
“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care.
“In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families.
“I also want to thank all those who supported in one way or the other, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.
“A minute’s silence will be observed today at12:00 noon, WAT, across all our group companies.
“May this never happen again in our Group. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
