The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to ensure the safety of students and teachers by enforcing stricter structural integrity checks across public schools, following the discovery of distressed buildings in some institutions.
As part of the initiative, authorities have commenced the demolition of unsafe structures at Mainland Senior High School, located on Onayade Street in Fadeyi, Yaba Local Council Development Area.
Chairman of the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Hakeem Smith, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the site, noting that the action was based on the outcome of detailed structural assessments.
According to Smith, what was initially planned as a renovation project turned into a demolition exercise after inspections revealed deeper structural defects.
“As part of our standard procedure, we conducted integrity tests on the building. The findings showed that the structure, along with another nearby block, posed serious safety risks and required demolition,” he said.
He added that while two buildings are being pulled down, another structure within the school premises will be rehabilitated to meet safety standards.
To ensure continuity in learning, affected students have been temporarily relocated to nearby schools. Smith assured that plans are underway to construct new, modern classroom blocks that will accommodate the growing student population.
“We will determine the number of classrooms needed based on the student population. Once approvals are obtained, construction is expected to be completed within nine months,” he stated.
The committee also emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all new school buildings meet international construction standards, including proper soil testing and structural design.
Supporting the initiative, the Coordinator of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Yaba Cell, Adebayo Ogunrinde, reiterated the group’s role in identifying unsafe structures before they become disasters.
He explained that the Guild had flagged the distressed buildings and reported them to relevant authorities, prompting official investigations and subsequent action.
“Our goal is to prevent building collapse before it happens. We are shifting from reactive responses to proactive prevention,” Ogunrinde said.
He added that the BCPG is working closely with SCRPS to extend similar safety inspections to other schools within Yaba and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Onisabe of Igboi-Sabi, Oba Adeyemi Adeniyi, commended the government for taking action, describing the demolished structure as a long-standing concern in the community.
“I am happy that the building is finally gone. It had been abandoned for about six years and should have been removed long ago,” the monarch said.
The ongoing exercise signals a renewed commitment by the Lagos State Government to prioritize safe learning environments and prevent avoidable tragedies in public schools.