Panic As Lagos Public School Building Collapses.

Residents of the Odo-Kekere community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State were thrown into panic on Thursday evening following the partial collapse of a building within a public school in the area.

The incident, which occurred after school hours, has been described by residents as a case of divine intervention, as pupils were not present at the time.

A source said a section of the school structure suddenly gave way late Thursday, producing a loud noise that attracted neighbours and passers-by to the scene.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Lagos State Building Control Agency swiftly arrived at the location and immediately cordoned off the area to prevent further danger.

As at the time of filing this report, investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse and assess the extent of the damage. Preliminary findings confirmed that no students were inside the classrooms when the incident occurred.

Emergency responders were also carrying out search and rescue operations to ensure that no security guards or school staff members were trapped under the rubble.

An eyewitness and resident, Mrs Boluwaji Aderinto, whose house is close to the affected building, expressed deep concern over the state of public school infrastructure in the area.

She said parents and community leaders had previously raised alarms and called on relevant authorities to renovate ageing school buildings within the axis.

“We heard a loud crack and then everywhere was filled with dust. We thank God it didn’t happen in the morning when the children would have been in class. This should serve as a wake-up call to the government,” Aderinto said.

Meanwhile, a high-powered delegation from the Lagos State Ministry of Education has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and immediate intervention.

A senior ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the visit and said appropriate steps were already being taken.

“We have officers on ground, including the Tutor General and Permanent Secretary, Education District II, who are assessing the situation for further action,” the official said.

The incident has reignited concerns over the safety and structural integrity of both public and private school buildings across Lagos State, with renewed calls for an urgent overhaul of ageing educational facilities to avert future disasters.