Between January 2023 and April 2025, at least 42 market fires ravaged major commercial hubs across 11 states in Nigeria.
This led to the destruction of goods and property worth more than ₦30 billion. According to findings by Daily Sun, Lagos State has borne the brunt of the infernos, recording 17 major outbreaks during the period.
The most catastrophic occurred on January 21, 2024, when a fire swept through the Mandilas building in Balogun Market.
The 14-storey structure, which accommodated 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels and five restaurants, was gutted, leaving behind gargantuan losses and shattered livelihoods.
Northern Nigeria has not been spared either. Kano State alone has suffered seven incidents since 2023, the latest on April 18, 2025, when six shops were consumed by fire at Kurmi Market.
Earlier in the year, the Yan Katako Market in Kano reported damages valued at ₦150 million. In the southeast, Anambra’s Nkpor Main Market fire in December 2023 resulted in an estimated ₦300 million in losses.
Kwara State experienced two notable incidents, including the 2023 Oja Tuntun Market blaze that wiped out merchandise valued at over ₦25 billion.
