United Capital Holds Memorial for Six Employees Lost in Afriland Towers Fire
United Capital Plc has announced plans to hold a memorial service in honour of six of its staff members who lost their lives in the recent Afriland Towers inferno on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The tragedy, which occurred on September 16, 2025, claimed at least 10 lives, including four staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The fire, which reportedly started in the inverter room at the building’s basement, quickly spread, filling several floors with thick smoke and leaving occupants trapped.
While emergency responders were able to rescue many, the intensity of the blaze and suffocating smoke proved fatal for some.
United Capital described the loss as “immeasurable,” saying the deceased were not only dedicated employees but also family to the company. Those who died included:
• Jesutoni Shodipo (21) – graduate intern, compliance department
• Kehinde Adeoye (36) – compliance officer
• Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke (41) – staff of United Capital Trustees
• Olumide Oyefodunrin (27) – trust officer
• Opeyemi Oloyede (26) – compliance intern
• Rebecca Adenuga (26) – executive associate, wealth management
In a statement, the company pledged full support to the families of the victims and expressed gratitude to emergency services who battled the inferno.
“The memories of our dear colleagues will remain with us. They were integral to our mission and their dedication will never be forgotten,” the statement read.
The Federal Government, Lagos State authorities, and the FIRS have all joined in mourning, with officials calling for a comprehensive investigation into the fire.
Questions have been raised about fire safety measures in the high-rise and the emergency response available to workers in commercial hubs like Broad Street.
The memorial service, according to United Capital, will be conducted “with dignity and solemnity” as a final farewell to the six staff members whose lives were cut short.
The Afriland Towers disaster has left a deep scar on Nigeria’s corporate community, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards in high-rise office buildings across the country.
