Balogun Market Traders Decry Prolonged Shop Closures After GNI Building Fire

Business activities remain at a standstill in Balogun Market, Lagos Island, as traders continue to express frustration over the prolonged closure of shops and blocked access routes following the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on December 24, 2025.

Several traders operating within the busy commercial hub say the Lagos State Government’s continued sealing of shops and restriction of movement have left them financially stranded, barely able to cater for their families.

The tragic fire incident claimed the lives of eight individuals, including three members of the same family — Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu. Despite the intervention of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the fire has not been fully extinguished, raising safety concerns within the area.

As a result, hundreds of shops across the multibillion-naira Balogun business district remain closed, disrupting daily trade and economic activities. When observers visited the market recently, clusters of traders were seen holding discussions, mourning the deceased, and sharing concerns about their uncertain future.

Traders Count Losses as Businesses Remain Shut

One of the affected traders, Martin Amalos, disclosed that his shop had remained sealed since December 25, 2025. According to him, the situation has severely affected his ability to provide basic necessities for his household.

He explained that he trades in children’s clothing and the incident occurred during what should have been a peak sales period. With his shop inaccessible, he said he had exhausted his savings and now struggles daily to survive.

Another trader, Oduloye Bimpe, described the closure as sudden and lacking any form of government support. She lamented that traders arrived at the market only to find their shops locked without prior assistance or alternatives.

She questioned the lack of intervention measures, noting that many traders have dependants relying solely on daily sales for survival. While acknowledging safety concerns, she argued that the affected building should have been demolished by now to allow business activities to gradually resume.

Families Plunged Into Hardship

A fabrics dealer, Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili, stated that many traders have been pushed into severe hardship due to the shutdown. He emphasized that most Balogun traders depend on daily income and cannot afford extended business closures.

He appealed to the state government to reopen unaffected sections of the market and other sealed areas to ease the suffering of traders. According to him, several residents were also rendered homeless after their homes were sealed following the incident.

Ifeakomili revealed that he had to borrow ₦12,000 just to feed his family, highlighting the growing desperation among affected traders. He further urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to order the demolition of the damaged building to prevent further delays.

Government Defends Closure Over Safety Concerns

Reacting to the complaints, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, explained that the government’s decision was based strictly on public safety considerations.

He warned that the 25-storey GNI building could collapse at any time, posing serious danger to anyone within a 100-metre radius. According to him, prioritizing human lives over economic activity remains the government’s foremost concern.

Omotosho added that the area had only been shut for about two weeks, yet reports had emerged of individuals entering the site during the fire to retrieve goods and never returning. He stressed that the government’s actions were not driven by insensitivity but by the need to prevent further loss of life, noting that over ten buildings were affected by the incident.

Condolences From Anambra State Governor

Meanwhile, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the devastating GNI building fire. He described the incident as deeply tragic and extended sympathies to all affected parties.