Ikorodu Classroom Collapse: Princess Abiodun Oyefusi Calls for Urgent Action on School Infrastructure
Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, a human rights advocate and politician, has expressed deep concern over the collapse of a classroom block at Odokekere Community Junior Secondary School in the Odo-Kekere area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, describing the incident as a warning sign of the risks posed by deteriorating school infrastructure.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 15, 2026, when a bungalow classroom building within the school premises suddenly collapsed, triggering panic among residents of the community.
According to official reports, no casualties were recorded, as no students or staff were trapped or injured in the incident.
Reacting to the development, Princess Oyefusi said while the absence of loss of life was reassuring, the incident amounted to a near-disaster that could have resulted in fatalities if it had occurred during peak school hours. She described it as unacceptable for children to continue learning in ageing and structurally unsafe buildings.
She noted that although the Lagos State Government disclosed that the collapsed classroom block had already been earmarked for demolition under a rehabilitation programme, preventive measures should not wait until structures fail.
Princess Oyefusi called for immediate and comprehensive integrity assessments of all public school buildings, alongside urgent repairs, renovations and reconstruction where defects are identified.
The advocate, who has been vocal on issues of child welfare and public safety, also aligned with the concerns of parents, teachers and community members 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.
While commending the swift response of officials from the Emergency Management Agency and the Lagos State Building Control Agency, as well as the calm conduct of students and school staff during the incident, Princess Oyefusi emphasized that commendations alone are insufficient.
According to her, decisive and proactive action is required to prevent a recurrence.
As investigations into the collapse continue, she urged relevant authorities to treat the Ikorodu incident as a wake-up call and to accelerate renovation programmes, reconstruction efforts and the strict enforcement of building standards across educational facilities in Lagos State and nationwide.
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