Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, a human rights advocate and politician, has raised serious concerns over the collapse of a classroom building at Odokekere Community Junior Secondary School in the Odo-Kekere community of Ikorodu, Lagos State, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by deteriorating school infrastructure.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 15, 2026, when a bungalow classroom block collapsed within the school premises, sending panic through the local community.
Official reports confirmed that no casualties were recorded, with preliminary assessments indicating that no students or staff were trapped or injured.
Reacting to the incident, Princess Oyefusi said although the absence of loss of life was a relief, the collapse amounted to a near-disaster that could have claimed lives if it had happened during peak school hours.
She warned that it was unacceptable for children to continue learning in ageing and unsafe structures.
The human rights advocate noted that while the Lagos State Government disclosed that the collapsed block had been earmarked for demolition under a rehabilitation programme, such preventive actions should not be delayed until structural failure occurs.
She called for immediate and comprehensive integrity assessments of all public school buildings, alongside urgent repairs and reconstruction where defects are identified.
Princess Oyefusi, who has consistently spoken on child welfare and public safety issues, also echoed the concerns of parents, teachers, and community residents demanding accountability and increased investment in safe, modern learning environments.
She stressed that the safety and well-being of Nigerian children must remain non-negotiable.
She commended the swift intervention of officials from the Emergency Management Agency and the Building Control Agency, as well as the calm displayed by students and school staff during the incident.
However, she emphasized that beyond commendations, decisive action is required to ensure such occurrences do not repeat.
As investigations continue, Princess Oyefusi urged relevant authorities to treat the Ikorodu school collapse as a wake-up call and to accelerate renovation, reconstruction, and strict enforcement of building standards across educational facilities in Lagos State and across the country.
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