Fresh FM breaks silence on fire outbreak at Ibadan Headquarters

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Ibadan-based Fresh FM Nigeria has confirmed that its head office in Challenge, Ibadan, was engulfed by a devastating fire on Friday evening, August 15, 2025.

In a statement signed by the Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Samson Akindele, the station described the incident as a “devastating inferno” that left significant damage across critical sections of the broadcasting complex.

According to the statement, the fire severely affected the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM, alongside adjoining offices including the newsroom, transmitter and server room, and several pieces of broadcast equipment.

The blaze reportedly struck while the station was in active operation.

Efforts by staff members to contain the fire with in-house extinguishers before the arrival of professional firefighters proved unsuccessful due to the intensity of the flames.

While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, the station noted that an official assessment of the damage is still ongoing.

Despite the devastation, the management expressed gratitude to residents, passersby, and officials of the Oyo State Fire Service, who joined hands in combating the fire and preventing further destruction.

“We heartily appreciate all good-spirited Nigerians who stood by us during the emergency,” the statement read, acknowledging the solidarity shown by the public during the crisis.

Fresh FM, founded by veteran gospel singer Dr. Yinka Ayefele, has been one of the most influential private radio stations in the South-West, with its Ibadan headquarters serving as the hub of operations.

The management assured listeners and stakeholders that updates on the cause of the fire and the extent of damage would be communicated as soon as investigations are concluded.

This fire marks the second major setback for Fresh FM in the month of August. In 2018, the station faced a partial demolition of its Music House complex by the Oyo State government, an event that sparked widespread controversy.

The timing of the blaze adds a layer of poignancy, as Fresh FM was gearing up to celebrate a decade of broadcasting, a journey that has made it a household name in Oyo State and beyond.

Known for its vibrant programming and community engagement, the station has been a platform for local voices and music, with Yinka Ayefele’s leadership cementing its cultural significance.