Odo-Kekere Community public school building collapses in Ikorodu, Lagos
Parents and community leaders demand safety standards and the need to renovate deteriorating school buildings.
A public school building in the Odo-Kekere Community, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, partially collapsed on Thursday evening, sparking alarm among residents but fortunately causing no injuries.
The incident occurred after school dismissal hours, when a section of the school structure gave way with a loud sound that attracted neighbors to the location.
Emergency response teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) arrived quickly at the scene and secured the perimeter for safety reasons.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse and the full extent of damage are ongoing. Initial reports indicate that no students were present in the classrooms when the incident happened. Emergency personnel are conducting thorough search and rescue operations to confirm that no security staff or other personnel were caught in the debris.
Mrs. Boluwaji Aderinto, a resident whose property is near the affected school, voiced concerns shared by parents and community leaders regarding safety standards and the need for renovating deteriorating school buildings in the area.
“We heard a loud crack and then dust everywhere. We thank God it didn’t happen in the morning when the children were in their desks. This is a wake-up call for the government,” Aderinto said.
A high-level delegation from the State Ministry of Education has visited the site for assessment. A senior ministry official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that officers including the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary for Education District II are on-site evaluating the situation for appropriate action.
The incident has intensified concerns about the structural integrity of school buildings across Lagos State, prompting renewed calls for comprehensive inspections and upgrades of educational facilities at all levels in the interest of public safety.
