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Tinubu, Wife Condole With FIRS, UBA Over Afriland Fire Tragedies
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences to the families of victims and to the management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital and United Bank for Africa, following Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The Tide learnt that seven victims have been confirmed dead after the fire incident at the Tower.
The victims were said to have died in hospitals across the state, where they had been rushed to after being evacuated from the high-rise building.
Among the victims are four staff members of FIRS, which occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the Towers.
In a statement signed yesterday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu commiserated with Afriland Properties Limited, United Capital, FIRS and UBA over the loss of lives.
He extended sympathy to those injured, who are receiving medical attention.
The statement read, “President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention.
“The President commends the emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, first aiders, medical personnel, and members of the public, for their quick intervention and notes their deep sense of responsibility during the evacuation.
“President Tinubu advises more caution, training, and alertness to avert such emergencies in the future.
“The President prays that God Almighty will receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to the injured.”
The Tide learnt gathered that doctors are battling to save the lives of the remaining victims in the hospitals.
The incident was one of two separate fire incidents that rocked the Lagos Island Business District on Tuesday, which left several others injured and goods worth millions of naira destroyed.
In the same vein First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the families of victims affected by Tuesday’s fire at Afriland Building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu also commiserated with the management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital, and United Bank for Africa.
“I condole with Gov. Sanwo-Olu, the people of the state, and affected organisations, including FIRS and UBA, over the tragic fire at Afriland Towers that claimed ten lives.
“May God Almighty comfort the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the departed and the injured during this time of deep grief and pain,” the First Lady added in her message.
She also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, quick healing for the injured, and strength for those left behind to bear the weight of such an irreplaceable loss.
The incident was one of two separate fire outbreaks in the Lagos Island Business District on Tuesday, which injured many and destroyed goods worth millions.
The condolence message comes in the wake of one of the deadliest fire outbreaks in Lagos Island in recent years.
On Tuesday, a blaze swept through Afriland Towers, a commercial complex on Broad Street that houses several corporate organisations, including the FIRS, United Capital, and a branch of the UBA.
Emergency officials confirmed that at least 10 people lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries.
Videos and photos of the inferno quickly went viral on social media, with early confusion suggesting that the fire had gutted UBA’s corporate headquarters at Marina before the bank clarified that only a Broad Street branch was affected.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service and other emergency responders, battled for hours to contain the inferno and rescue trapped occupants.
Investigations later revealed that the fire began in the inverter room, with smoke spreading rapidly through the building, including the emergency exits.
The incident was the second major fire reported in the Lagos Island business district on the same day, further heightening public concern about safety standards in high-rise buildings across the state.
The First Lady’s intervention adds to the stream of condolences already issued by corporate bodies, government agencies, and civil society organisations, as calls grow for stricter enforcement of fire safety measures in commercial centres.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.