A fire outbreak early Tuesday morning destroyed goods worth millions of naira at Lagos’ Computer Village, one of West Africa’s largest technology markets.
The incident occurred in a one-storey commercial building on Somoye Osundairo Street, Ikeja, according to a preliminary report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Emergency responders were alerted shortly before 2:00 a.m. after distress calls were received through the state’s 767 and 112 emergency lines. LASEMA officials arrived at the scene around 2:15 a.m. to find the building’s upper floor, occupied by traders dealing in computers and accessories, completely engulfed in flames.
LASEMA said the intensity of the fire was evident on arrival, with thick smoke and extreme heat indicating severe combustion within the structure.
“Firefighting operations successfully suppressed and contained the fire within the affected building. Damping-down operations are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent any re-ignition,” the agency said.
The area was immediately cordoned off as a safety precaution to protect nearby structures in the densely packed market.
The latest incident adds to growing safety concerns in Computer Village. In 2025, the Association of Mobile Communication Device Technicians (AMCODET) called on the federal government to install CCTV cameras across the market to enhance security.
AMCODET president Kehinde Apara cited a previous explosion at a shop in the area, reportedly caused by an explosive device hidden in a parcel, underscoring the vulnerability of the busy commercial hub.
Computer Village, located in Ikeja, is regarded as the largest technology market in West Africa, housing thousands of traders dealing in mobile phones, computers, accessories, and electronic gadgets.
Often described as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s tech trade, the market plays a critical role in the country’s digital economy, making repeated fire and security incidents a growing concern for traders and authorities alike.
