Tony Elumelu mourns Afriland fire victims in Lagos, cutting short his UNGA trip to honour staff lost in the tragic blaze at the UBA facility

Tony Elumelu mourns Afriland fire victims following the tragic blaze at the Broad Street headquarters in Lagos that claimed the lives of several employees.

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The Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), visibly shaken by the incident, described the loss as “devastating” in a heartfelt letter addressed to staff on Wednesday.

“No word can capture the magnitude of this loss,” Elumelu wrote. “Not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them.”

Elumelu revealed he was en route to New York for the United Nations General Assembly when he received the news.

He immediately cut short his trip and is returning to Lagos to personally honour those lost.

The inferno broke out on Tuesday afternoon at the seven-storey Afriland Tower, which houses a branch of UBA.

Thick black smoke enveloped Lagos Island’s business district as the fire, reportedly starting from the inverter room in the basement, quickly spread across multiple floors.

Eyewitness videos showed dramatic scenes of panic, as staff were seen climbing through windows, some descending via fire ladders and others risking jumps to escape the flames.

While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, several fatalities have been reported. Emergency responders from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu fire stations arrived swiftly after the alarm was raised at 1:38 p.m.

In his statement, Elumelu commended the bravery of firefighters, first responders, and members of the public, expressing deep gratitude for their courage and compassion in the face of the disaster.

A memorial is planned in honour of the deceased, with Heirs Holdings and UBA pledging ongoing support to the bereaved families.

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“As we navigate this grief,” Elumelu added, “I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care.”