Business
The African Policy and Research Consortium mourns the lives lost in the Afriland Towers tragedy and calls for safer and more resilient communities
The African Policy and Research Consortium mourns the lives lost in the Afriland Towers tragedy and calls for safer and more resilient communities.
The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a continental alliance of distinguished think tanks, research institutions, diaspora research centers, and policy leaders dedicated to shaping evidence-based governance, sustainable development, and social equity, mourns with profound sorrow the tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Lagos Island. This devastating incident, which claimed the lives of ten cherished individuals, including employees of Heirs Holdings and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life and the urgent need to safeguard public spaces. Beyond institutional and structural concerns, this tragedy underscores the irreplaceable value of human contribution, the connections we forge, and the hopes we nurture. In this moment of grief, the APRC reaffirms its commitment to advancing policies that prioritize human dignity, safety, and resilience, ensuring that the promise of Africa’s future is never dimmed by preventable loss.
We stand in heartfelt solidarity with the families, colleagues, and communities now bearing the immense weight of grief. The individuals we mourn were far more than professionals at their desks; they were mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, mentors and friends whose skill, dedication, and spirit enlivened the institutions they served. Their absence leaves a void that no ceremony or memorial can ever fill, yet their legacies endure, etched in the collective memory of Nigeria’s civic and economic community. This tragedy compels us not only to reflect but to act, to ensure that measures are put in place to protect lives, fortify safety protocols, and cultivate a culture where human life is honored as the most precious resource.
This tragedy at Afriland Towers painfully echoes similar incidents across Africa: the 2019 fire at Onitsha’s Ochanja Market that ravaged lives and livelihoods, the Twin Tower blaze in Nairobi (2018) that exposed infrastructure fragility, and the 1994 Asafo Market inferno in Kumasi, which remains etched in Ghana’s history. Each of these catastrophes revealed recurring gaps in emergency response, fire prevention infrastructure, and occupational safety standards. The Afriland Towers disaster is therefore not an isolated event, it is another alarm bell demanding systemic reform.
We commend the courage of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, first responders, and ordinary citizens who braved chaos and smoke to save lives. Yet we must be candid: Africa cannot continue to mourn preventable deaths from infrastructure fires. The rapid spread of smoke from the basement inverter room to multiple floors underscores both the vulnerability of high-rise buildings and the insufficiency of current safety protocols.
We therefore call upon governments at every level – federal, state, and municipal to:
1. Strengthen emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that fire stations, hydrants, and safety equipment are strategically located, fully functional, and properly maintained.
2. Mandate rigorous compliance with occupational and building safety codes, particularly in commercial high-rises where thousands of lives are at stake daily.
3. Invest in training and drills so that employees, visitors, and first responders are adequately prepared for crisis scenarios.
4. Create collaborative frameworks with the private sector, where institutions like Heirs Holdings and UBA can co-lead in setting exemplary safety standards across the continent.
Afriland Towers was more than a building; it was a hub of enterprise, a symbol of modern Nigeria, and a testament to the possibilities of African-led development. That it has become the site of such grief must awaken in us a collective resolve: never again should avoidable tragedy diminish the value of African lives.
Once again, on behalf of the African Policy and Research Consortium, we stand in solidarity with all affected families and institutions. We honor the memory of those who perished, and we commit ourselves to advancing policies that place human safety, dignity, and life at the very center of Africa’s development agenda.
May the departed rest in peace, and may their sacrifice become the seed of reforms that safeguard future generations.
Signed,
Professor Steve Azaiki, OON
Chief Executive Coordinator
African Policy and Research Consortium
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
Business
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Launch Strategic Plan for World-Class Sugar and Agro-Logistics Hub at Khalifa Port
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Sugar Refining, Agro-Industrial Development, and Integrated Global Logistics Solutions
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Monday, 16th February 2026
BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group of Abu Dhabi today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions. The partnership aims to create a world-class platform that strengthens regional food security, supports industrial diversification, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for trade and manufacturing.
The proposed collaboration will leverage BUA Group’s industrial and logistics expertise, Khalifa Port’s world-class infrastructure, and AD Ports Group’s operational experience. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable food production and resilient supply chains. It also aligns with Nigeria’s food production- and export-oriented agricultural transformation agenda, focused on scaling domestic capacity, strengthening value addition, improving post-harvest logistics, and unlocking new markets for Nigerian produce across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Photo Caption: L-R: Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Group; Cpt. Mohammed J. Al Shamisi, MD/Group CEO, AD Ports Group; Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO (Ports Cluster) AD Ports Group; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder/Executive Chairman, BUA Group; and Steve Green, Group CFO, MAIR Group
Through structured aggregation, processing, storage, and maritime export channels, the partnership is designed to reduce supply chain inefficiencies, enhance traceability and quality standards, and also create a predictable trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf.
BUA Group—recognised as one of Africa’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with major investments across sugar refining, food production, flour milling, cement manufacturing, and infrastructure- brings extensive industrial expertise and large-scale operational capability to the venture. MAIR Group will provide strategic support in developing integrated logistics and agro-industrial solutions, creating a seamless platform for production, storage, and distribution.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, said:
“This MoU marks an important milestone in BUA’s international expansion and reflects our long-term vision of building globally competitive industrial platforms. Together with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group, we aim to develop sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains and support the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.”
He further added that, “This partnership represents not just a commercial arrangement but a strategic food corridor anchored on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure, and disciplined execution, reinforcing long-term food security objectives for both nations.”
A representative of MAIR Group added:
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing strategic industries in Abu Dhabi and building integrated solutions that reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, food security, and industrial excellence.”
A spokesperson from AD Ports Group commented:
“Our partnership with BUA Group and MAIR Group highlights Khalifa Port’s role as a catalyst for high-impact industrial investments. This initiative will enhance regional food security, strengthen global trade connectivity, and support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification goals.”
This MoU marks a historic collaboration that combines world-class infrastructure, industrial expertise, and strategic vision, setting the stage for a sustainable and resilient food and logistics ecosystem that will benefit the UAE, the region, and global markets alike.
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