Federal emergency authorities have commenced steps to demolish the severely damaged Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in Lagos Island following the deadly Christmas Eve fire that gutted the structure.
The move is aimed at ensuring public safety, protecting emergency workers, and enabling further recovery operations at the site.
Okay News reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has mobilised the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to the scene of the incident to prepare for the controlled demolition of the 22-storey Great Nigeria House located on Martins Street, Marina.
The action followed a formal request by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who sought federal intervention to safely bring down the compromised high-rise after structural damage raised concerns about possible collapse. The fire outbreak occurred on December 24, 2025, causing extensive destruction across several floors of the building.
NEMA officials, led by Air Commodore Usman Bature, Director of Search and Rescue, and the agency’s Lagos Operations Head, Tunde Mohammed, accompanied representatives of CCECC to inspect the site and assess demolition logistics. Heavy-duty equipment has already been mobilised, with the construction firm awaiting final clearance to begin work.
The demolition is intended to safeguard emergency responders who remain active in the area and to clear the location for excavation and further investigation. Authorities say the structure, weakened by intense heat and prolonged fire exposure, poses a serious risk to surrounding properties and personnel.
The blaze, which erupted on the evening of Christmas Eve, was reported by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to have originated from an apartment on the fourth floor before spreading rapidly to higher levels. The building was reportedly used as a warehouse by traders dealing in textile materials, which may have intensified the fire.
According to a Lagos State Government update issued on January 2, 2026, the incident claimed eight lives, with three victims charred beyond recognition, while 13 traders were rescued alive. Firefighting and emergency response operations have continued at the site since the incident.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, during multiple visits to the affected area, said inspections around Balogun Market revealed widespread violations of building safety regulations, including illegal modifications and unsafe installations in high-rise structures. He noted that these factors hampered access for first responders and increased the danger during the emergency.
The governor added that the state would conduct a comprehensive safety audit of buildings within the Marina and Balogun Market axis to prevent similar tragedies. Emergency teams, including NEMA, LASEMA, firefighters, and security agencies, remain deployed as recovery efforts continue.
The demolition of the GNI building marks a critical phase in post-fire response efforts, as authorities intensify enforcement of building regulations and public safety standards in Lagos’ densely populated commercial districts.
 building in Lagos Island following the deadly Christmas Eve fire that gutted the structure.){kind=link}