Afriland Properties Plc has announced that Afriland Towers, the Broad Street high rise recently damaged by a fire, is fully covered by insurance. The company is currently reviewing policy details and awaiting official reports to move forward with compensation and reconstruction.
The announcement follows a tragic fire on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that resulted in ten fatalities and widespread disruption. The blaze, which began in the building’s basement inverter room, was successfully contained to its point of origin. However, the company confirmed that the building will remain closed for thorough safety inspections, cleaning, and necessary repairs before it can be reoccupied.
Afriland Properties’ Head of Brand, Marketing, and Corporate Communications, Chukwunonso Okafor, stated that while the fire was devastating, it has strengthened the company’s commitment to safety. He noted that the company is proactively reviewing all its properties to ensure they meet the highest safety standards and is collaborating with regulatory bodies to improve disaster prevention and response protocols.
Okafor explained that Afriland Towers was equipped with extensive fire safety features, including smoke extractors, fire reels, extinguishers, and alarms on every floor. The building also had two dedicated emergency staircases and multiple ground floor exits. He confirmed that the fire began around 1:20 PM and that on site fire champions initiated response protocols promptly, with emergency services arriving approximately 20 minutes later. However, the rapid spread of thick smoke significantly limited visibility and access to evacuation routes, forcing some occupants to exit through windows.
The company regularly conducts fire drills overseen by fire service officials and trains designated fire wardens on each floor annually. Despite these precautions, Okafor noted that the fire’s intensity challenged communication and evacuation efforts. Investigations are ongoing into reports of inconsistent alarm activation.
Okafor also confirmed that the building met all regulatory requirements and possessed valid occupancy certifications. He added that Afriland Properties is working closely with regulators on a comprehensive post fire safety audit and has pledged to implement enhanced safety measures beyond regulatory standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The victims of the fire included staff from United Capital Plc and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Afriland Properties extended its heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed it is providing support, including grief counseling, medical evaluations, and flexible work arrangements for affected employees and their families. Alternative work arrangements will remain in place until the building is deemed safe for reoccupation.
