Residents and stakeholders in Oyo State are increasingly alarmed over the rising wave of fire incidents that have gripped the state in recent months. From Ibadan to Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa zones, fire disasters have become an almost weekly occurrence, destroying homes, markets, and businesses.

Major markets such as Bodija, Araromi, Gate, Sanjo, and Oja Agbe in Ibadan have all suffered recent infernos, leaving traders counting heavy losses. The situation has raised urgent questions about fire safety awareness, government preparedness, and citizens’ negligence.

Dr. Olufemi Timothy Adigun, a lecturer at the University of Namibia, described the spate of fire outbreaks as “worrisome and tiring,” blaming both poor safety practices and inadequate regulation. He noted that many incidents stem from negligence such as unattended open flames, faulty electrical wiring, and poor maintenance of fuel tankers.

“There will always be fire incidents when the conditions for fire exist. The government must inspect and certify trucks carrying inflammable substances and ensure every market stall has fire extinguishers,” Adigun advised.

Similarly, Professor Charles Afolabi, Director-General of Fire Academy Nigeria, decried the low public awareness of fire safety. He urged the Oyo State Government to equip fire services with modern tools and fund community sensitization programs.

“People don’t understand fire prevention. We’ve trained volunteers to assist firefighters, but we need proper funding and collaboration with the government,” Afolabi stressed.

For Kolawole Amusat-Gbenla, Executive Director of the Centre for Disaster Risk and Crisis Reduction, the causes of these fires are mostly human-induced. He called for continuous public education and for markets to establish fire prevention task forces.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, revealed that the agency attended 272 fire incidents between January and September 2025, despite limited resources.

“People often wait for the fire service instead of having extinguishers. Safety should start from home and construction design,” Akinwande said, adding that the agency had upgraded its response capacity and was “80% prepared” for emergencies.

With the dry season approaching, experts are warning that without increased funding, public sensitization, and strict enforcement of safety standards, Oyo State could face an even greater fire crisis in the coming months.