The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no customer records or critical operational data were lost following the recent fire outbreak at the headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Abuja. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, gave the assurance after inspecting the damaged sections of the bank’s headquarters, stressing that the institution remains fully operational despite the incident.
Leading a delegation of ministry officials to the site on Tuesday, Darma expressed gratitude that the fire, which occurred on Saturday, claimed no lives.
During the visit, the minister received detailed briefings from FMBN’s management and technical teams on the suspected cause of the incident, the extent of the damage and measures already taken to ensure uninterrupted banking operations. After touring the affected areas, he disclosed that the inferno was largely confined to a section of the building’s second floor.
Preliminary findings, according to the minister, point to an electrical fault as the likely cause of the fire, although investigations by relevant authorities are still ongoing. Darma warned that any individual found negligent after the conclusion of the investigation would face appropriate sanctions.
“Anyone found negligent in the discharge of their duties, following the conclusion of investigations, will be held accountable,” he said.
The minister commended the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for fully digitising its operations, explaining that the institution’s cloud-based backup system protected customer information and operational records from destruction. He noted that although paper files in the affected offices were damaged, the bank’s digital records remained intact.
“I’m convinced by the management that nothing is really lost except the physical structure of the building,” Darma stated.
He added that officials demonstrated how customer records and operational data were securely stored on cloud servers, assuring Nigerians that the fire did not compromise the bank’s core systems. The minister therefore urged customers to continue doing business with the institution, emphasising that its services have not been interrupted.
Beyond addressing the fire incident, Darma reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing across the country. He said ongoing reforms within the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria are expected to improve mortgage accessibility and strengthen the institution’s role in delivering housing finance.
The minister also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s housing pledge, expressing confidence that the administration would deliver the promised 100,000 housing units within its four-year target. According to him, government would provide Nigerians with clear information on the location and implementation of the housing projects.
As part of broader reforms, Darma disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the bank to improve its internal systems with the goal of increasing annual mortgage approvals to about 2,000. He explained that strengthening operational efficiency remains central to expanding home ownership opportunities for Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria confirmed that banking operations continue without disruption and assured customers that it is cooperating fully with relevant authorities investigating the cause of the fire.
