- President Bola Tinubu expresses deep commiseration with the people of Kano State over the weekend’s Singer Market inferno.
- The President directs a comprehensive investigation into the recurring fire incidents in the state’s food hubs.
- Tinubu describes the loss of livelihood as tragic, coming just weeks after a similar disaster.
President Bola Tinubu has formally commiserated with traders and the people of Kano State following a devastating fire outbreak at the popular Singer Market over the weekend.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the inferno, which ignited on Saturday evening, continued to rage through to Sunday morning, resulting in catastrophic damage to the food market and destroying goods worth millions of naira.
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The Singer Market is a critical hub for commodity distribution in Northern Nigeria, and the destruction of its inventory is expected to have a ripple effect on food prices across the region.
In a statement released on February 15, 2026, by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as a “tragic” blow to the local economy. President Tinubu had earlier contacted the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to receive a direct situation report on the extent of the damage.
The President expressed particular alarm over the frequency of these disasters, noting that this latest outbreak occurred less than two weeks after another fire razed dozens of shops and properties at the same location.
This pattern of recurring destruction has raised serious questions about the fire safety infrastructure within Kano’s major commercial zones.
Disturbed by the recurring nature of these incidents, President Tinubu has directed a comprehensive investigation into the underlying causes of market fires in the region.
He emphasized that such outbreaks leave hard-working traders in a state of despair and jeopardize food security.
The President’s directive goes beyond a mere routine inquiry; he has called for a technical audit of the market’s electrical systems and emergency response accessibility.
The investigation is expected to provide a roadmap for preventing future occurrences and ensuring that market safety protocols—including the installation of modern fire hydrants and early warning systems—are strictly enforced across the country.
Traders at the Singer Market have expressed their frustration, citing a lack of immediate fire-fighting response during the early hours of the Saturday outbreak.
Many lost their entire life savings in the blaze, which consumed warehouses filled with essential food items. President Tinubu assured the affected businessmen and women that the Federal Government would look into collaborative measures with the state government to offer support.
He urged the Kano State government to prioritize the modernization of old markets to mitigate such risks, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority for his administration.
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