Fatimah Otunsanya
The Federal Government, on Monday, approved the release of N5bn to support victims of the Kano Singer Market fire disaster.
Also, the All Progressives Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, pledged N3bn to the victims.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed the donation during a sympathy visit to the market on Monday.
Speaking in Kano, Shettima said the intervention aimed to help victims rebuild their businesses and restore economic activity in the market.
“Your Excellency, we join you today not only to sympathise with you over the fire outbreak at the Singer Market that has disrupted the commercial life of this great state, but to come bearing the promise of the Federal Government that we stand firmly with the good people of Kano.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N5bn to the Government of Kano State as palliative towards this incident.
“And the Progressive Governors Forum, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has also pledged N3bn in support of the victims of the fire incident at the Singer Market.
“Together, we have collectively contributed N8bn to the victims of the fire disaster.
“The Federal Government stands with you in this moment of hardship and will continue to provide the necessary support,” Shettima said.
The visit followed the fire which broke out on Saturday evening, February 14, 2026, in the Gidan Glass section of the market along Ado Bayero Road and raged into Sunday morning.
It affected more than 1,000 shops and reportedly left seven traders feared missing.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Shettima said the inferno was not only a loss to Kano State but to the entire federation.
The Vice President, who was accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Imo, offered prayers for the victims and prayed to Almighty Allah to prevent the recurrence of such disasters in the future.
The Chairman of the Singer Market Traders Association, Junaid Zakari, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for what he described as a timely and generous gesture.
He pledged that the funds would be used judiciously to support affected members and help restore business activities in the historic market.
NigeriaTodayTimes reports that the fire marks the second major blaze at the market in less than two weeks.
Emergency responders from NEMA, the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Fire Service, and other agencies eventually contained the blaze, which officials linked to a possible solar battery explosion.