The Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vowed to transform the lessons from the recent Afriland Towers tragedy into a broad campaign for public safety and accountability across the state. The incident, which reportedly involved one of its members, has sparked fresh conversations on fire safety, building management, and systemic reforms in Lagos.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Chairman of NBA Lagos, Uchenna Akingbade, said the association had set up a fact-finding committee not only to investigate the event but also to chart a path for sustainable safety measures.
“This incident is deeply concerning, especially because it touches our own community. We have constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate and determine whether negligence or avoidable lapses played any role. But beyond that, we are determined to use this as a turning point to advocate for stronger safety culture in Lagos,” Akingbade said.
The chairman emphasized that the association would pursue accountability wherever necessary and ensure justice is served, but also stressed that the wider goal was to build systems that could prevent future tragedies.
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Beyond Blame: A Push for Public Safety
Nonso Azih, who chairs the investigative panel, noted that the committee’s work would extend beyond identifying what went wrong. He explained that the NBA sees the Afriland Towers incident as a wake-up call to raise awareness about fire safety and emergency preparedness.
“Our goal is not only to determine what went wrong, but also to raise public awareness. Fire safety, regular emergency drills, and strict compliance with regulations must become a culture in this city and across Nigeria,” Azih told journalists.
According to him, part of the panel’s mandate is to collaborate with regulatory bodies, building managers, and the public in order to strengthen preventive measures. The panel will also make recommendations on enforcement gaps that currently put lives at risk.
The tragedy has already reignited wider concerns about the safety of high-rise structures in Lagos, particularly on Lagos Island where Afriland Towers and other commercial skyscrapers are located. Though many of these buildings are modern in design, questions linger about whether they comply with best practices in safety management and emergency readiness.
Legal practitioners, civil society groups, and public safety experts have long warned that inadequate fire safety systems, poor maintenance, and weak regulatory enforcement expose residents and workers to unnecessary danger. The Afriland incident, according to the NBA, underscores the urgent need to close these gaps.
In its statement, the association assured that the panel’s findings would be made public and backed with strong advocacy. “The NBA Lagos will not only pursue justice for our member but also push for systemic reforms to ensure similar incidents do not occur again. This is about creating a safer Lagos for everyone,” Akingbade added.
He urged Lagos residents and professionals to adopt personal responsibility for safety, noting that simple practices like regular drills, clear evacuation routes, and adherence to fire safety rules can make the difference between life and death in emergencies.
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The NBA panel has already commenced work and is expected to submit its preliminary findings within the coming weeks. While details of the incident are still emerging, the association says its immediate priorities are to establish the facts, provide support to those affected, and ensure lessons are translated into reforms.
