- These fires have wreaked havoc across various markets and commercial establishments nationwide.
Nigeria’s bustling economic hubs—markets, shops, and hotels—are increasingly vulnerable to devastating fire outbreaks.
These incidents not only disrupt daily commerce but also inflict severe economic losses and emotional trauma on traders and business owners.
Despite the nation’s status as Africa’s largest economy, the frequency and intensity of these fires have escalated, raising urgent questions about safety standards, regulatory enforcement, and disaster preparedness.
Between January and August 2024, Lagos state alone recorded 1,011 fire incidents, making fires the third leading cause of emergencies and disasters in the state.
These fires have wreaked havoc across various markets and commercial establishments nationwide. For instance:
Smoke still hovered over the scorched ruins of shops and stalls in Jos, the capital of Plateau state, when a new fire broke out at the phone village in Ilorin, Kwara state.
Lately, fires in markets have become an alarming trend across various Nigerian states. In the first five months of 2025 alone, at least 23 significant market fires have been recorded nationwide.
From the busy streets of Ladipo in Lagos to the crowded, plastic-filled corridors of Aleshinloye market in Ibadan, Oyo state, goods and properties have been consumed by flames, leaving vendors in despair and raising numerous concerns.
The following is a compilation of major market fire incidents in 2025.
1. AKINOLA MARKET, OSUN
The food section of Akinola market in Ipetumodu, Osun, was destroyed by fire on January 10, following poorly extinguished trash in the area.
2. TALATA MARAFA CENTRAL MARKET, ZAMFARA
A blaze erupted on February 18 at Talata Mafara Central Market in Zamfara. It resulted in three fatalities and fifty people sustaining various degrees of injuries.
Authorities discovered a Dane gun at the location after witnesses reportedly heard a “loud bang” before the fire intensified and rapidly spread across the shops.
3. GUSAU CENTRAL MARKET, ZAMFARA
More than 100 shops went up in flames on February 23 during a market fire that destroyed major trading areas and customer product sections.
Later in April, another fire tore through the herbal medicine wing, destroying over 50 stalls and affecting the livelihoods of traders and native medicine vendors.
4. OGOJA LGA CENTRAL MARKET, CROSS RIVER
On January 7, fire affected the Ishibori market in Ogoja, Cross River, occurring barely 48 hours after flames engulfed the Ogoja High Court building.
5. LADIPO MARKET, LAGOS
A warehouse surrounded by sections of assorted goods caught fire in February due to electrical issues. Traders lost merchandise worth millions during the unfortunate blaze.
6. OWODE ONIRIN MARKET, LAGOS
That same evening, an inferno hit several iron and metal shops, leaving blackened remains and burnt stock where construction tools and rod materials were once displayed.
7. GOMBE OLD MARKET, GOMBE
Eighteen retail spaces were gutted on March 4 due to electricity faults. Flames spread fast, consuming everything before help could arrive to reduce the damage.
8. SIMRA MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET, KANO
Fire broke out on March 19, burning down small factory spaces and destroying machines used in producing plastic containers, nylons, and packaging materials within the premises.
9. KURMI JAKARA MARKET, KANO
On April 18, six retail spaces were engulfed before emergency response teams stopped the flames. Quick containment efforts helped prevent the disaster from spreading further.
10. BENUE RICE MILL MARKET
Fire destroyed processed rice and essential machines used for milling and destoning during a major outbreak on March 17, crippling several rice traders in Benue.
11. IHIOKWU MAIN MARKET, BENUE
Several shops went up in flames on February 2 in Obi LGA. Absence of a fire station led to unmanageable losses and delayed containment.
12. ALESHINLOYE MARKET, OYO
Over 50 kiosks were consumed by fire on March 11. Unfortunately, the market’s fire emergency unit had stopped working long before the fire started.
13. MAYEGUN CEMENT STORE MARKET, OYO
Twelve stores burned down on April 10. This was the second outbreak in that same axis within just a few months, worrying many traders seriously.
14. GBAGI MARKET, OYO
Flames erupted on April 20 around 1 pm, but timely intervention ensured the fire was quickly controlled and damage was minimised across surrounding areas.
15. SANGO STORES, OYO
In April, three out of ten prefabricated stalls were damaged. Investigation linked the fire source to a “deep freezer left running without supervision overnight.”
16. IWEKA ELECTRONICS MARKET, ANAMBRA
On March 25, four furniture showrooms close to Ochanja market burned down in a fire that razed shelves, seats, and electronics placed for display.
17. ONITSHA MAIN MARKET, ANAMBRA
On March 28, flames started inside warehouse buildings and quickly spread into other structures nearby, damaging extensive stocks and threatening residential buildings along the stretch.
18. NNEWI MARKET, ANAMBRA
A January 14 fire at Ahia Mgbede opposite the Motor Spare Parts Market reignited after being “initially extinguished,” catching shopkeepers completely unprepared for its return.
19. KARA MARKET, SOKOTO
Two major fires hit Kara Market in 2025. The first, on January 4, razed 50 grinding shops. Another outbreak occurred again on March 1.
20. SOKOTO TIMBER MARKET
At least 560 timber stalls were completely lost during a January 21 blaze. The inferno continued for two days before it was finally subdued.
21. GWAGWA MARKET, FCT
On April 13, flames destroyed ten shops in Abuja’s Gwagwa market. Emergency services took three hours to bring the situation under full control.
22. JOS TERMINUS MARKET, PLATEAU
Over 500 temporary stalls were flattened by fire.
This market also previously suffered major fires in “2016 and 2018,” prompting serious safety concerns among authorities.
23. CHALLENGE MARKET, KWARA
On May 1, a power surge reportedly triggered flames that destroyed ten shops at the “phone village,” leaving traders with sudden losses and uncertainty.
These incidents highlight the widespread nature of the problem, affecting both urban and rural areas.
WHY FIRES KEEP HITTING BUSINESS PLACES
Most recent outbreaks were blamed on unstable power, cooking mishaps, open flames nearby, and human error. Some incidents occurred without any clear reason given.
Officials usually announce that they’ll dig into the cause, but after the initial reaction fades, the promised findings are rarely shared with the general public.
Several of the destructive events were blamed on voltage faults or sudden bursts from power supplies that triggered uncontrollable flames in areas where goods were stored.
According to a report published by an online platform in 2021, the report showed that between November 2020 and August 2021, 57 commercial fire disasters occurred across different Nigerian locations.
That report also revealed Oyo state topped the list with 20 affected places, followed by Lagos with 15, and Abuja recording three separate disasters.
MITIGATING THE RISK
The recurring fire incidents in Nigeria’s economic hubs underscore the urgent need for comprehensive fire safety strategies.
While government efforts are underway, a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders—government agencies, traders, and the community—is essential to curb the menace of fire outbreaks.
By implementing stringent safety measures, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and fostering a culture of safety, Nigeria can protect its economic assets and ensure the well-being of its citizens.
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