Nigeria’s federal government has approved the release of 5 billion naira to support victims of a fire that devastated the Singer Market in Kano, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Monday.
The All Progressives Governors Forum, led by Imo State Gov. Hope Uzodinma, also pledged 3 billion naira for the victims, bringing total assistance to 8 billion naira.
Shettima announced the intervention during a sympathy visit to the market, saying the funds were intended to help traders rebuild their businesses and restore economic activity.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of 5 billion naira to the Government of Kano State as palliative toward this incident,” Shettima said. He added that the governors’ forum had contributed an additional 3 billion naira in support.
The fire broke out Saturday evening, Feb. 14, 2026, in the Gidan Glass section of the market along Ado Bayero Road and burned into Sunday morning. Authorities said more than 1,000 shops were affected and seven traders were feared missing.
Shettima described the blaze as a national tragedy, saying the loss extended beyond Kano State. He was accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi and Imo states during the visit.
Junaid Zakari, chairman of the Singer Market Traders Association, thanked the federal government for what he called a timely intervention and pledged that the funds would be used to support affected traders and restore business activities.
Emergency responders from the National Emergency Management Agency, the Kano State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Fire Service helped contain the blaze. Officials said a possible solar battery explosion may have triggered the fire.
The blaze was the second major fire at the market in less than two weeks.
