By Femi Osinusi
Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, Tony O. Elumelu, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, which claimed the lives of several people, including some members of the UBA community.
In a heartfelt message, Elumelu described the past few hours as “tough” for the bank and its wider community, noting that the loss of colleagues and others in the incident had left staff grieving. “As a community, we are grieving for all and doing what we can to support their families and loved ones,” he said.
Elumelu also addressed concerns over UBA’s initial public statement on the tragedy, which he admitted was issued prematurely. He explained that the communication was made “in haste, without understanding the full gravity of what happened.” The billionaire banker described the statement as “regrettable” and stressed that it did not capture the depth of the institution’s sadness.
“The loss of a life is painful, all the more,” he said, underscoring the irreplaceable value of those who died.
According to him, the entire UBA Group took time on Wednesday to pause and reflect on the tragedy, honouring the memories of the deceased. “Our Group paused today to reflect and remember all who passed. They are irreplaceable and will remain in our memories always. May their souls rest in perfect peace and may God comfort their loved ones and us all,” Elumelu added.
The fire at Afriland Towers, a high-rise commercial building in Lagos, has sparked shock and mourning across Nigeria’s financial sector. Emergency services have yet to release a final casualty figure, but reports indicate that the blaze led to multiple fatalities and injuries.
As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, tributes have been pouring in from business leaders, government officials, and the banking community. Elumelu’s message reflects the broader grief felt by many in the financial industry, which is reeling from the sudden loss of professionals who were part of its ecosystem.
The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter fire safety enforcement in high-rise commercial buildings across Lagos, where rapid urban development has often outpaced infrastructure and safety measures.
