Industry Experts Call For Smarter Electrical Systems To Curb Fire Outbreaks

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

West Africa must integrate smarter and more resilient electrical systems into its infrastructure to reduce the growing risk of fire outbreaks linked to rapid urbanisation and expanding power networks, an industry expert has said.

Opeyemi Olaniyan, Offer Manager for Power Products at Schneider Electric West Africa, said electrical fire safety should no longer be treated as a compliance requirement but embedded into the core design of power systems.
He warned that as electrical infrastructure becomes more complex, traditional fire protection methods that rely on isolated components and reactive responses are becoming inadequate.

“The safety of electrical infrastructure is non-negotiable,” Olaniyan said, adding that fire risks increase as industrialisation and urban growth place greater pressure on power systems.

He said modern electrical design should move towards integrated systems that combine protection devices, real-time monitoring and early fault detection across low-voltage and medium-voltage networks.
According to him, such systems can help identify faults before they escalate into fire incidents, while also reducing downtime and economic losses in critical infrastructure.

Olaniyan pointed to Lagos as an example of rising risk exposure, noting that the city’s fast-growing urban environment has been accompanied by hundreds of fire outbreaks annually, many linked to electrical faults in buildings.

He also referenced the 2024 Afriland Tower fire in Lagos, which resulted in fatalities, as an example of incidents that highlight gaps in preventive electrical safety measures.

Beyond technology, he stressed the importance of skills development across the electrical value chain, including engineers, contractors and system integrators.

He said the effectiveness of modern electrical systems depends not only on design but also on proper installation, maintenance and knowledge of how integrated safety systems function.
Olaniyan added that increased awareness of fire risks was gradually driving demand for more advanced and preventive electrical solutions across the region.

He said fire prevention must be prioritised in electrical infrastructure planning as West Africa continues to expand its urban and industrial base.