Inferno at Singer Market: A Call for Lasting Solutions
By Ismail Sani
The recurring outbreak of fire at Singer Market in Kano has once again plunged hundreds of traders into despair, reviving urgent concerns about safety, infrastructure, and the long-term future of one of Northern Nigeria’s most vibrant commercial hubs.
On Monday, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the scene of the latest inferno. Standing amid the charred remains of shops and goods worth billions of naira, he conveyed the sympathy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and announced a N5 billion intervention fund to cushion the devastating losses suffered by traders.
While the swift federal response has drawn commendation, the tragedy once again highlights a painful reality: Singer Market — a cornerstone of commerce in Kano — remains dangerously vulnerable.
Singer Market is far more than a cluster of shops. It is a thriving commercial ecosystem that sustains thousands of families and contributes significantly to the economy of Kano State and Northern Nigeria at large. Renowned for its concentration of electronics, household items, industrial tools, and assorted merchandise, the market attracts buyers and suppliers from across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
For decades, it has symbolised enterprise and resilience — a place where small-scale traders evolve into major distributors and where daily transactions fuel a vast informal economy. Each fire outbreak, therefore, represents more than burnt structures; it signifies shattered livelihoods, disrupted supply chains, and setbacks to regional economic stability.
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Behind the statistics lie painful personal stories. Many traders reportedly lost life savings invested in goods reduced to ashes within hours. Without insurance coverage and often dependent on cooperative loans or credit facilities, victims now face mounting debts and uncertain futures. With each recurrence, traders are forced to rebuild from scratch. Confidence erodes. Poverty deepens. For a market of such economic magnitude, repeated disasters signal systemic deficiencies that demand structural solutions rather than episodic relief.
The N5 billion support pledged by the Federal Government offers immediate succour. However, financial assistance alone cannot resolve a recurring structural crisis. There is an urgent need to consider relocating Singer Market to a more spacious and strategically planned environment — one designed with modern infrastructure capable of enhancing safety, supporting expansion, and attracting both local and international investors.
A remodelled or newly constructed market should incorporate modern fire detection and suppression systems, well-organised shop layouts with adequate spacing, reliable power supply with certified electrical installations, proper access roads for swift emergency response, functional water reservoirs and firefighting stations, and structured waste management systems. Such upgrades would not only mitigate future disasters but also transform the market into a world-class commercial hub capable of competing in today’s globalised economy.
The latest tragedy should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive audit of major markets across Kano and Nigeria. Many of these trading centres were established decades ago and now operate under congested, outdated conditions that heighten vulnerability to fire outbreaks and other emergencies. Governments at all levels must prioritise remodelling and upgrading critical market infrastructure. Investment in resilient facilities is not merely expenditure — it is economic insurance.
Kano has long been recognised as a commercial powerhouse in West Africa. Protecting its markets means safeguarding the economic lifeblood of millions. The visit by Vice President Shettima signals federal concern and commitment, but lasting success will depend on decisive, preventive action.
Singer Market can either remain a symbol of recurring tragedy or emerge as a model of transformation — a reimagined commercial city within a city, built on safety, innovation, and sustainability. For the traders who have lost everything, hope now rests not only on financial assistance but on bold reforms that ensure they never again watch their dreams go up in flames.
Ismail Sani Writes From Abuja
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