The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate relocation of pupils of Odokekere High School in Ikorodu following the collapse of a bungalow classroom building within the school premises.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening in the Odo Kekere community, caused panic among residents but recorded no casualties as it happened after school hours.
Eyewitnesses said a loud cracking sound preceded the collapse, with dust spreading across the area. The timing of the incident prevented what residents described as a potential disaster if pupils had been in class.
Emergency officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Lagos State Building Control Agency promptly arrived at the scene and secured the area. Preliminary assessments confirmed that no students, teachers, or security personnel were trapped in the rubble.
A resident of the community, Mrs Boluwaji Aderinto, expressed relief over the absence of casualties, describing the incident as a warning sign that urgent attention must be given to school infrastructure.
The school principal, Mr J T Olaniyan, explained that the affected structure was a temporary classroom erected by the community to address space constraints. He added that he assumed office only a week earlier and had limited details about the building’s condition.
Officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, including members of the Project Unit and the Director of Education District II, Mr Sanni Omotayo, visited the site to assess the situation.
The state government, through the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, said the collapsed building had already been scheduled for demolition and replacement with a new classroom block.
The committee confirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu had directed that pupils be moved to nearby schools to ensure uninterrupted learning while plans for reconstruction commence.
