The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria has announced a detailed industry-led investigation into the recent fire outbreak at Singer Market in Kano, cautioning against premature conclusions linking the incident to a solar battery explosion.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Communications Director, Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the association said it was aware of reports suggesting that the inferno may have been triggered by a solar battery system but stressed that the cause had not been officially confirmed by relevant authorities.
The body expressed sympathy to victims of the disaster and reiterated that safety remains a core priority in the deployment and operation of renewable energy systems across the country.
“The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria is aware of reports concerning a recent fire incident that occurred at Singer Market, Kano, which has been speculated to have been linked to an explosion from a solar battery system.
We are deeply concerned about the incident and extend our sincere thoughts to the individuals, businesses, and families affected.
Safety remains paramount in the deployment and operation of renewable energy systems across Nigeria,” the statement read.
A devastating fire had erupted on the evening of Saturday, February 14, at the historic Singer Market in Kano State, one of northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial hubs.
The blaze reportedly began in the Gidan Gilas section of the market before spreading rapidly through densely packed shops and business premises.
Official reports indicated that more than 1,000 shops were razed, with goods and property estimated at over ₦5bn destroyed.
Preliminary casualty figures suggested that at least seven traders were still missing days after the incident, as emergency responders and security agencies continued search efforts.
In response to the disaster, Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced a ₦5bn federal relief package for victims, while governors from the ruling party donated an additional ₦3bn, bringing total support to ₦8bn to aid recovery.
The incident heightened anxiety across the state after another fire broke out in Kano’s Dakata area days later, destroying about 50 shops and raising fresh safety concerns.
REAN noted that the development comes at a critical period when solar adoption is expanding rapidly in Nigeria due to unreliable grid power supply, rising diesel costs and the government’s energy transition agenda.
The association emphasised that solar power systems, including battery storage components, are globally recognised as safe and reliable when properly designed, installed and maintained in accordance with established electrical and safety standards.
It warned, however, that increasing demand for solar solutions has attracted unqualified installers and substandard equipment into the market, posing risks to consumer safety and the credibility of the industry.
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REAN outlined its longstanding efforts to improve quality assurance, including the development and promotion of installation guidelines aligned with international best practices, structured training programmes for installers and technicians, advocacy for enforcement of technical standards, and collaboration with regulatory authorities to strengthen compliance and consumer protection.
The association disclosed that it has activated its internal incident response and review mechanism following the Kano fire.
According to the statement, the process will involve obtaining verified facts from stakeholders, analysing gathered information, engaging technical experts to determine the root cause, reviewing compliance with existing standards and installation protocols, and issuing a detailed report with preventive recommendations.
“Our priority is to obtain verified facts from all relevant stakeholders, including installers, equipment suppliers, regulatory authorities and affected users.
We will interrogate and analyse the information gathered, engage technical experts to determine the root cause, and review compliance with existing standards and installation protocols,” it said.
REAN added that upon conclusion of the investigation, it would issue a detailed statement of facts and recommend clear preventive measures to mitigate the risk of recurrence.
Nigeria has set ambitious targets to expand clean energy access, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote off-grid solutions, particularly in underserved communities.
Solar mini-grids and rooftop systems have become central to these efforts, attracting increasing investment from development partners and private sector players.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement of safety standards within Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem, pledging to provide further updates as verified information becomes available.