Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), has abruptly ended his trip to the United States for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following a tragic fire at Afriland Towers on Lagos Island that claimed the lives of several staff members.
The devastating incident, which occurred on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, prompted Elumelu to return to Lagos to mourn and support the families of the deceased.
In a heartfelt message to staff on Wednesday, September 17, Elumelu expressed profound grief, stating, “I am shattered by yesterday’s incident at Afriland Towers that took the lives of our dear colleagues.
“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss, not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them.”
He added, “I learnt of this on my way to the US, en route to New York for UNGA. I have cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect for our lost colleagues.”
The fire, which broke out in the inverter room of Afriland Towers, rapidly spread smoke across multiple floors, including emergency exits, complicating evacuation efforts, according to Afriland Properties Plc, the building’s management company.
Chukwunonso Okafor, head of marketing and corporate communications, detailed in a Wednesday statement that the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to contain the blaze and coordinate rescues.