General
How Government Can Avert High-Rise Buildings Disasters
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the recent high-rise buildings disasters that shook the nation was the collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, which was still under construction.
It drew the attention of many Nigerians because it claimed the lives of several persons, including the owner of the property as well as casual workers on the project said to cost billions of Naira.
It was later gathered that one of the reasons for the unfortunate incident was because the owner did not allegedly get approval to construct a 21-storey building as the approval was for a lesser number.
At a 2-day Tall Building Fire Safety Conference in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Surveillant Fire Limited, Mr Adejola Jumade, advised the government to pay attention to the designs of high-rise buildings.
“When you talk of disaster, the first thing is design. What are the steps we take to ensure that the design we have for tall buildings is tailored toward safety?
“Aside from that, government agencies like Physical and Urban Planning need to ensure that mechanical and electrical designs are looked into critically to ensure that the fire design they have tailored to curtain fire in case of any issue,” he said.
He used the occasion to call for more partnership and collaboration for firefighters in the country to enable optimal performance, stressing the need for more investment in the fire service.
“Honestly speaking, the firefighters are trying their best with the limited capacity and facility they have. The local, state and federal agencies need to work together to ensure that people that need to follow regulations do so. Interagency rivalry needs to stop; we need serious collaboration,” he submitted.
On his part, Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, said that the federal government was working out modalities for an armed escort for firemen on assignment to deter touts and miscreants’ attacks.
“There is the unique challenge of touts and miscreants attacking firemen and their equipment in a fire scene. This is deplorable. We are working out modalities for an armed escort for firemen on assignment to deter these undesirable elements,” the Minister, who was represented by the Acting Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr Samson Karebo, disclosed.
He said the government procured DG54 Aerial Platform Fire Fighting Truck with 54 metres height capacity to reach the 18th floor of high-rise buildings, which is “stationed in Lagos where we have the largest concentration of high rise buildings in Nigeria.”
“We are also working with the Nigeria Air Force to be able to deploy planes for aerial fire-bombing of bushfires, high rise buildings or other wildfires requiring aerial attacks. Between 2015 and 2020, the federal government provided 106 modern fire-fighting trucks to the FSS.
“Last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved infrastructure upgrade comprising 44 fire-fighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines (not conventional ones) that can go into the nooks and crannies to respond to distress calls and 20 basic life support ambulances,” Mr Aregbesola said.
Corroborating his views, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, appealed to Nigerians to be very conscious of things that can trigger fire outbreaks.
“Endeavour to switch off all electrical gadgets after use. We advise that people should be careful with cooking in the marketplace. Some people will leave their iron on the table without removing it from the socket when electricity come back it can result in a fire outbreak,” she said.
Mrs Adeseye called for more understanding with firefighters, saying it is not acceptable to attack firefighters, “regrettably, in some cases hoodlum use to attack firefighters without putting into consideration the distance they are coming from.”
“To tackle some of these challenges, the state government has commenced the renovation of 16 fire service stations with the construction of additional five fire service stations. This is the first of its kind that I am witnessing in my 25 years in service. This will help us to address the challenges of proximity,” she stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In further demonstration of its unwavering commitment to its workforce, Nigeria’s foremost power generation company, Egbin Power Plc, has unveiled 80 new residential housing units for employees within its plant premises in Egbin, Lagos State.
This comprises 40 fully furnished three-bedroom apartments and 40 furnished studio apartments, all designed to contemporary standards.
The units feature modern infrastructure and thoughtfully planned utilities, creating a safe, comfortable, and conducive living environment that supports both employee productivity and family well-being.
This strategic investment underscores the company’s philosophy that a well-supported workforce is fundamental to sustained operational excellence.
The new housing units are part of a holistic strategy to cultivate a stable, motivated, and future-ready workforce.
This strategy extends beyond infrastructure to encompass robust career development and recognition. Over the past three years, Egbin Power has promoted 112 employees across various cadres, reinforcing a culture that rewards merit, performance, and long-term dedication
“At Egbin Power, our people are our most valuable asset. Even amidst the prevailing liquidity and operational realities within the broader power sector, our focus on employee welfare has remained deliberate and consistent.
“This significant expansion of our residential estate is a tangible expression of that commitment.
“It is one of several key initiatives aimed at ensuring our employees feel genuinely supported, allowing them to thrive both personally and professionally,” the chief executive of Egbin Power, Mr Mokhtar Bounour, said.
Initiated in 2025 and completed in January 2026, this project is the latest milestone in Egbin Power’s structured and ongoing approach to enhancing employee welfare. It reflects the energy firm’s dedication to fostering a culture where every team member feels valued, secure, and motivated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Nigerian Exchange Group House in Lagos, the role of capital markets in promoting gender equality will be reemphasised through the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026.
The ceremony is part of the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality campaign, which mobilises stock exchanges worldwide to expand women’s participation in the economy and advance gender-inclusive practices.
In Nigeria, the NGX Group is partnering with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) to make it memorable under the theme Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.
Dignitaries expected at the ceremony include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; the Executive Commissioner for Legal and Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Frana Chukwuogor; foremost actor, Ms Funke Akindele; a Director at the NGX Group, Ms Ojinnika Olaghere; and another staffer of NGX Group, Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman, alongside board members of NGX Group, regulators, capital market stakeholders, and industry leaders.
NGX Group is joining other exchanges worldwide in sounding the NGX Gong to underscore the importance of inclusive leadership, equal opportunities, and stronger market accountability in advancing gender equality.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Executive Director/GCOO of Pathway Holdings Limited, Mrs Dolapo Akanbi-Alade, has called for increased inclusion of Nigerian women in finance as the world marks International Women’s Day 2026.
International Women’s Day 2026 is marked every March 8, and this year’s theme is Give To Gain.
In a statement shared with Business Post, Mrs Akanbi-Alade noted that while International Women’s Day highlights the need for gender equality, significant progress requires deliberate policies and systems that expand women’s access to finance and leadership opportunities.
She emphasised that many Nigerian women and women-led businesses still face limited access to finance, highlighting the urgent need for targeted inclusion initiatives.
“At Pathway Holdings, we empower women and give access to investment advisory, asset management, and lending solutions for institutions, high-net-worth individuals, and businesses. Ensuring that women and women-led enterprises can access these opportunities is critical to building a more inclusive financial system,” she added.
Mrs Akanbi-Alade said, “Women’s access to finance is not only a social responsibility but essential for national productivity and economic growth’’. She co-founded the following companies:
Pathway Asset Management Limited is registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria, as a Fund and Portfolio Manager. The product range includes Pathway Fixed Deposit Notes, Privately Managed Notes, Pathway Private Portfolio Management, Investment Advisory, and Mutual Funds, which will be launched soon.
Pathway Advisors Limited is registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an Issuing House and financial adviser. Pathway Advisors’ services cover Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Capital-Raising, Financial Advisory, Rating Advisory, and Project and Structure Finance.
Fundbox Financial Services Limited is a wholly owned micro-lending company providing short-term personal and SME finance loans to salaried individuals, self-employed personnel, and small businesses. They offer services which include Cars4Cash, SME Loans, Personal Loans, and Group Employee Loans. Fundbox has successfully disbursed a wide range of loans to both corporate and individual clients, supporting their financial needs and business growth.
Pathway Holdings Limited is a notable investment holding firm focusing on private market investments, including private equity, private credit, and infrastructure. Pathway creates customised investment solutions for institutional investors and individuals, leveraging its extensive experience and local footprint.
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