A fire broke out at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday, with emergency responders preventing the blaze from spreading to other offices, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said.

The fire started at about 15:00 at a pharmaceutical office and adjoining store occupied by staff of Corixus of Nigeria, according to the NSCDC Anambra State Command.

The NSCDC said its Disaster Management Team responded after receiving a distress call and worked with the Anambra State Fire Service to contain the fire.

No deaths or injuries were reported in the statement issued by the corps.

Cause of fire still under investigation

The NSCDC said the cause of the fire had not been established.

However, its preliminary assessment suggested that a power surge might have triggered the incident.

That remains an initial finding and not a confirmed cause. The authorities said investigations are continuing.

The command also said normal activities had resumed at the Federal Secretariat after the fire was brought under control.

The NSCDC claimed that property estimated at more than N200 billion was saved because the fire was contained before it spread to other parts of the complex.

ALSO READ: Ondo Orders Probe into Ore Market Fire, Promises Support for Traders

What the NSCDC said

Anambra State Commandant, Comdt Maku Olatunde A, said the response demonstrated the corps’ role in protecting government infrastructure.

“The prompt response by the Corps underscores its commitment to safeguarding government facilities and infrastructure across the State,” he said.

He commended the Disaster Management Team and urged ministries, departments and agencies to carry out regular electrical inspections.

He also called on government offices to comply with fire and other safety measures.

Why the incident matters

The Federal Secretariat houses government offices and agencies that provide public services. A major fire could therefore disrupt government operations and destroy public records, equipment and other assets.

The incident also highlights the risks posed by electrical faults in large public buildings.

A fire at a Federal Secretariat in Abuja earlier this year was also contained by emergency responders, with the Federal Fire Service and FCT Fire Service deploying several fire trucks. NSCDC and other emergency agencies also assisted at the scene.

That incident underlined the importance of coordination between fire services and other emergency agencies when fires occur in government complexes.

Questions remain over fire prevention

While the immediate response prevented the Awka fire from spreading, the investigation will need to establish what caused the suspected electrical fault and whether existing safety measures were adequate.

It will also be important to determine whether the affected offices had functioning electrical protection systems, fire extinguishers, alarms and other emergency equipment.

The NSCDC has urged government agencies to conduct regular electrical audits, but the effectiveness of such measures will depend on whether they are actually carried out and whether identified faults are corrected.

The command did not provide details of any injuries, damage to equipment or records, or whether the affected pharmaceutical office will remain closed.

It also did not disclose how the N200 billion estimate was calculated.

Those details are likely to become clearer as the investigation continues.

The Ondo State Government has ordered an investigation into a fire that destroyed shops and goods at Sabo Market in Ore, with officials saying it was the third such incident at the market in two years.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the investigation on Tuesday, August 18, when he inspected the damage from the 12 August fire.

The government has also promised support for traders who lost their businesses, although it has not yet announced how much assistance they will receive.

The fire destroyed shops and goods but caused no reported deaths.

Aiyedatiwa said the state emergency agency had begun documenting the damage and identifying affected traders.

“The emergency agency of the state government has been here to take note and account of all that have been destroyed and those who are affected. They are doing their calculation; in due time, they will respond to support the people,” he said.

Third fire in two years

The announcement of an investigation is significant because officials say the market has suffered repeated fires without a clear explanation for the earlier incidents.

Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, said the latest fire was the third outbreak at the market in two years.

He said previous incidents had not produced a concrete explanation for what caused them.

“So, at this time, it is very important for us to dig to the roots of the causes of these problems so that we can be able to know what to do next,” Takuro said.

The investigation could determine whether electrical faults, unsafe trading practices, inadequate fire prevention measures or other factors contributed to the repeated incidents.

However, the government has not yet provided evidence establishing the cause of the latest fire.

Water shortage raised concerns

Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged a lack of water in the area, which he said affected efforts to fight the fire.

He promised to address the problem by providing boreholes.

“I’m promising you today, the Ministry of Water Resources, Hygiene and Sanitation will visit and look at locations where they have to sink the boreholes and that will be approved immediately. Not just for firefighting but also for your use,” he said.

The commitment could improve both emergency response and access to water for residents and traders.

But the government will need to provide details on the locations, number of boreholes, funding and completion timetable before the impact of the promise can be assessed.

Firefighters praised

The governor praised firefighters and residents for containing the blaze and preventing further destruction.

“I acknowledge and thank all our firefighters for their quick response to ensure that this fire did not escalate more than this,” he said.

“A lot of valuables have been lost but no life was lost. Our men responded with the support of the people in the neighbourhood to ensure that the fire was put off.”

He also urged traders and residents to switch off electrical appliances and other possible sources of fire before leaving their shops or going to bed.

Such precautions may reduce fire risks, but they do not replace the need for proper electrical inspections, accessible firefighting equipment, water supply and effective enforcement of safety standards.

Traders seek help

The chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Michael Adegoroye, described Sabo Market as one of the area’s major markets.

He said the market contributes to internally generated revenue and the finances of both the state and local government.

For traders, however, the immediate concern is the loss of stock and income.

Ore Iyaloja, Chief Eniola Ogunlana, spoke on behalf of the victims and appealed for government assistance.

Many affected traders depend on their businesses for their livelihoods, meaning prolonged closure or a lack of capital to restock could affect their households as well as local trade.

The government has not said whether affected traders will receive cash grants, replacement shops, loans or another form of assistance.

What happens next?

The immediate next step is the completion of the damage assessment by the state emergency agency.

Officials will also have to establish what caused the fire and determine why repeated outbreaks have occurred at the market.

The promised borehole project will need to move from an announcement to implementation, while the government’s proposed support for victims will need clear eligibility criteria and a transparent process.

The wider issue is whether the latest fire will lead to lasting improvements in fire prevention at Sabo Market or become another incident followed by temporary relief.

For traders who have lost their livelihoods, the value of the government’s response will ultimately depend on how quickly assistance arrives and whether the investigation leads to measures that prevent another market fire.

Miriam Imoh is the President and Chief Executive Officer of HOMI Group, a United States based conglomerate with interests in technology, agriculture, construction, sports and entertainment. She is also the founder of Glide, Africa’s youth opportunity hub, created to connect young Africans with jobs, skills, funding and entrepreneurship opportunities at no cost. Born in the United Kingdom, educated in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and now based in the United States, Imoh speaks in this interview on the vision behind Glide and how its technology driven ecosystem is helping to tackle unemployment, poverty and insecurity by expanding access to economic opportunities across the continent.

Question: Across Africa, many experts argue that relying on one source of income is becoming increasingly risky. Do you share that view?

Answer: Absolutely. The economic realities across Africa make it increasingly difficult for many households to depend solely on a single salary.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a large proportion of employment in sub-Saharan Africa remains informal, while the African Development Bank estimates that the continent creates far fewer formal jobs each year than the number of young people entering the labour market.

For millions of Africans, combining a regular job with freelance work, farming, trading or other income generating activities has become an economic necessity rather than a lifestyle choice. Glide was designed with this reality in mind by bringing together opportunities across different sectors within one digital ecosystem.

Whether it is a nurse seeking additional care coordination opportunities through CareConnect Hub, an artisan looking for more customers through Workman Jobs Connect, or a farmer connecting directly with buyers through Agri Connect, the idea is to enable people to earn from their skills rather than depend entirely on a single employer.

The philosophy is simple. Sustainable wealth is often built on multiple streams of income rather than a single monthly salary.

Question: Youth unemployment remains a major concern in Nigeria and across Africa. Beyond discussing the problem, what practical role can digital platforms play?

Answer: Access is one of the biggest challenges facing young Africans. Many possess talent and ambition but lack access to affordable training, current industry knowledge, practical mentorship and direct links to employment.

Nigeria’s unemployment and underemployment challenges continue to affect millions of young people, while many others remain outside the formal labour market altogether.

Across Africa, governments and development partners continue searching for sustainable solutions.

Digital platforms can help bridge some of these gaps by reducing the distance between learning and earning.

Glide’s Virtual Training Hub was developed with that objective. Rather than offering static courses, it focuses on practical skills that reflect current market needs. More importantly, users who complete training can immediately explore opportunities within the same ecosystem instead of beginning another lengthy search elsewhere.

Question: Many Nigerians are moving into freelancing and small businesses. How does technology support that transition?

Answer: The internet has significantly lowered the barriers to starting a business. Someone with a valuable skill can now reach customers far beyond their immediate community.

However, visibility remains a major obstacle.

An artisan in Ibadan, a software developer in Nairobi or a farmer in Ogun State may all possess valuable products or services but still struggle to reach paying customers.

Glide attempts to address this through specialised platforms.

The Artisan Marketplace provides a digital space for craftspeople to showcase their products, while Startup Launch offers entrepreneurs tools to improve visibility and connect with potential collaborators.

Rather than competing for attention on platforms built primarily for larger global markets, users can focus on opportunities designed around African realities and local economic needs.

Question: One criticism often levelled against digital platforms is that users have little control over their data and opportunities. How does Glide approach this concern?

Answer: Trust has become one of the defining issues in today’s digital economy.

Many online platforms generate revenue primarily from user data, targeted advertising or algorithm driven recommendations that users cannot fully understand or control.

Glide adopts a different approach by allowing users to determine how they engage with the available platforms.

Individuals decide which services to use, how they present themselves, what opportunities they pursue and which skills they develop.

Instead of relying solely on automated matching systems, users retain greater control over their career paths and business decisions.

This approach is particularly relevant in Africa, where the informal economy supports millions of households yet often receives limited institutional support despite its enormous contribution to employment and livelihoods.

Question: Some observers say Africa’s biggest challenge is not talent but opportunity. Does Glide share that perspective?

Answer: To a large extent, yes.

Across Nigeria and the wider African continent, there is little shortage of creativity, innovation or entrepreneurial ambition.

The greater challenge has often been access to the infrastructure that allows those ideas to become sustainable businesses.

Each year, policy makers, economists and development organisations release reports highlighting youth unemployment and proposing long term reforms.

While those policy discussions remain important, many young people require immediate opportunities to earn, build businesses and develop practical skills.

Glide positions itself as digital infrastructure rather than a policy intervention.

Its nine integrated platforms cover employment, agriculture, productivity, property, events, healthcare support services, entrepreneurship, vocational learning and artisan commerce.

These are sectors where millions of Africans are already working, often without adequate digital support.

The objective is to provide practical tools that enable users to expand their opportunities, strengthen existing businesses and improve their earning potential in an increasingly digital economy.

Ultimately, the platform reflects a broader belief that Africa’s young population does not lack ideas or determination. What has often been missing is accessible infrastructure capable of connecting those ideas with real economic opportunities.