Lagos Traders Protest Continued Closure of Balogun Market Weeks After GNI Building Fire.
Lagos Traders Protest Continued Closure of Balogun Market Weeks After GNI Building Fire.
Traders in Lagos’s Balogun Market have voiced growing frustration over the continued closure of their shops and the barricading of access roads, weeks after the devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on December 24, 2025. The fire claimed eight lives, including three members of the same family—Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu—causing widespread grief and concern among traders and residents alike.
Despite efforts by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, parts of the fire remain active, forcing authorities to suspend commercial activities across the bustling market district. Traders have been left stranded, unable to access their shops or conduct business, leading to economic hardship and mounting anxiety about their future.
During a visit to the market, traders gathered in groups, lamenting the prolonged closure and mourning those who lost their lives. Many expressed fears about the financial toll and uncertainty over how to sustain their livelihoods. Martin Amalos, a trader dealing in children’s clothing, shared his distress, saying, “My shop has been closed since December 25. I can barely provide for my children. Many traders are stranded and unsure how to cope.” He added that the fire struck at the peak of his business, and he has exhausted his savings trying to survive.
Other traders, such as Oduloye Bimpe, criticized the government for not providing any support during this crisis. “Our shops were sealed without consideration for our livelihoods. There should have been assistance before the closures. Where do we go from here?” she questioned. Bimpe also stressed that the damaged building should have been demolished by now to prevent further hazards.
Fabrics trader Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili highlighted the hardship caused by the closures, appealing to the government to reopen the sealed sections of Balogun Market before the weekend. “We rely on daily income to feed our families. We plead with the government to act swiftly,” he said. He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to expedite the demolition of the fire-damaged structure, noting that some residents have been left homeless after their homes were sealed, and some traders are borrowing money just to survive.
In response, Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, explained that the closures were purely safety measures. “We hope people will prioritize life over livelihood. The 25-storey building is at risk of collapse, which could endanger everyone within a 100-meter radius,” he stated. Omotosho added that the government’s actions were not punitive but necessary to prevent further tragedy. “The area has only been closed for two weeks, and reports indicate some individuals entered the building to retrieve goods during the fire and never returned. Over ten buildings were affected, and public safety remains our top priority,” he concluded.
