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Lagos school fails minutes after emergency evacuation

*Collapsed four-storey classroom block at Yemco Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College in Ogba, Lagos, after the structure failed shortly after evacuation. Source: The Guardian*

Students and teachers of Yemco Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College in the Ogba area of Lagos State narrowly escaped a major tragedy after a four-storey building housing the school collapsed on 10 March 2026.

The building, located at 11 Adudatu Street in the Aguda axis of Ogba, collapsed shortly after pupils and staff were evacuated from the premises following warnings that the structure might be unsafe. Witnesses reported that a resident in the area raised concerns about the condition of the building, prompting school authorities to quickly move students and teachers away from the structure.

Incident location. Source: Channel Television

According to eyewitness accounts, the collapse occurred only minutes after the evacuation, preventing what could have resulted in significant casualties.

Emergency responders from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The area was secured and access restricted while officials assessed the stability of the remaining structure.

Authorities have begun reviewing the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Officials indicated that unauthorised renovation activities may have been taking place within the building prior to the incident.

According to LASBCA representatives, residents in adjoining buildings were asked to evacuate temporarily as a precaution while the site was inspected for additional structural risks. Although part of the property used for residential purposes remained standing beside the collapsed section, emergency teams continued monitoring the area to ensure there were no additional hazards.

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has also visited the site to evaluate the damage and determine the impact on school operations.

Growing Concern Over Building Safety

Building collapses remain a recurring concern in Lagos, where rapid urban development and unauthorized structural modifications sometimes lead to safety risks in older structures. In this case, the timely evacuation of students and teachers prevented potential loss of life, highlighting the importance of early warning signs and rapid emergency response when structural distress is suspected.

Authorities say further investigations will determine whether regulatory violations or structural deficiencies contributed to the failure.

Sources: channelstv.com, guardian.ng, leadership.ng, newtelegraphng.com