This is the heart-stopping moment bank staff were forced to jump from a burning building in Nigeria.

The fire broke out at the six-storey Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which houses a branch of the United Bank for Africa, on Tuesday, September 16.

Terrifying footage shows distressed employees leaping from the structure as kindhearted locals and fellow workers assist them from below.

A large crowd watches in panic from the nearby highway as the dramatic scene unfolds.

Moments later, others were seen using ladders to help evacuate those still trapped inside.

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) confirmed there were no fatalities and clarified that the fire did not occur at its head office, which is located in Marina.

Authorities said the blaze was reported at 1:38 pm local time.

Deputy Controller of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ogabi Olajide, said: 'The fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement of the building, while smoke spread across multiple floors and engulfed the structure.'

Ogabi added that nine people were rescued in total, five of whom received medical treatment and were later reported to be in stable condition.