The aftermath of the devastating market fire in Kano State has drawn federal attention, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promising financial assistance to traders whose businesses were destroyed in the incident. The assurance followed an on-the-ground assessment led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who headed a federal delegation to evaluate the scale of damage and engage with affected victims.
The fire, which engulfed sections of the popular Singer Market, reportedly destroyed shops and goods valued at millions of naira, leaving hundreds of traders stranded and raising fresh concerns about safety standards in Nigeria’s major commercial centres. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic as traders struggled to salvage goods while emergency responders battled the inferno to prevent it from spreading further.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency and other emergency services were deployed to contain the blaze, but traders say the incident exposed long-standing structural and safety challenges within crowded market environments. Many victims called for immediate intervention, insisting that recurring market fires across the country reflect deeper systemic failures, including poor electrical regulation, limited firefighting access, and inadequate preventive infrastructure.
During the visit, Shettima conveyed the president’s sympathy and assured traders that the federal government would provide support aimed at helping victims recover and resume economic activities. He noted that assessments were ongoing to determine the level of assistance required, while emphasising the administration’s commitment to safeguarding small and medium-scale enterprises that form the backbone of local economies.
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However, beyond relief promises, stakeholders are demanding concrete action to prevent future occurrences. Market leaders and traders urged authorities to enforce safety compliance, improve emergency response systems, and modernise market layouts to reduce fire risks. Analysts say repeated fire outbreaks in major markets highlight the urgent need for coordinated policy responses between federal, state, and local authorities.
The Kano market fire has once again brought attention to the vulnerability of informal commercial hubs, where millions of Nigerians depend on daily trade for survival. As investigations continue into the cause of the incident, affected traders remain hopeful that government intervention will translate into tangible support rather than temporary assurances.
For many victims, the focus now shifts from sympathy visits to recovery, rebuilding, and long-term protection against disasters that continue to threaten livelihoods across Nigeria’s trading communities.
