Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Heirs Holdings staff who died in the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Lagos Island on Tuesday.
The six-storey building, which also houses a UBA branch, was engulfed in flames, leaving several people dead and many others injured.
In a message to staff on Heirs Holdings letterhead dated Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Elumelu described the incident as devastating and beyond words.
“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,” he said.
He revealed that he cut short his trip to the United States, where he was due to attend the United Nations General Assembly, to return to Lagos in honour of the victims.
He further directed that a minute of silence be observed across all Heirs Holdings companies on Wednesday and pledged support for the families of the deceased.
A memorial service, he added, would soon be held to honour the employees, while commending emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public who showed courage during the crisis.
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According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), the fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement of Afriland Towers before spreading to other floors. Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide confirmed that the emergency call was received at 1:38 p.m., leading to the swift deployment of firefighting teams from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations. Smoke quickly swept through the building, forcing evacuations.
Eyewitnesses recounted chaotic scenes as workers and visitors scrambled to escape. LSFRS reported that nine people were rescued, five of whom were successfully resuscitated, while others managed to escape unhurt.
Videos from the incident triggered widespread outrage on social media, showing occupants escaping through windows using a ladder typically meant for climbing electricity poles.
The ladder was propped up from the first-floor cantilever and supported by people on the ground. While some descended safely, the precarious method drew sharp criticism.
Another video showed people attempting to jump onto makeshift cushioned materials, but the practice was abandoned after one person was reportedly injured, leaving the ladder as the only escape route.
On Nairametrics’ Instagram post, Chinwe_amaboms condemned the lack of proper safety exits, writing: “No adequate emergency exit in a high-rise building. That ladder has the potential to cause more harm.
This might just be a turning point to getting things right.” Similarly, iam_mayaki pointed out the crowd’s proximity to the building, saying: “We lack crowd control mechanism. What were those people doing close to the building?” Ovokester added concerns about the fragility of the ladder: “Just imagine the impossibility of someone on the heavy side coming down that rickety ladder.”
Although the full death toll has not been confirmed, relatives and colleagues have been mourning those lost. On X, a user identified as Bleh wrote: “Lost some of my friends and former colleagues today. My heart is heavy … So so heavy. These are people I sat and worked with. Each call has been ‘ahh, him too?’ Dear Lord, please be a comfort.”
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Image Credit: TECHECONOMY
