The Lagos State Government has confirmed that no lives were lost after a bungalow classroom block collapsed at Odokekere High School in the Ikorodu area of the state, even as it moved swiftly to relocate students and fast-track plans for a new, modern school building.

The incident, which involved an old classroom structure within the public secondary school, immediately triggered concern among parents, teachers and residents in the Odokekere community. However, officials from the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCRPS, said all students were safely evacuated and accounted for.

In its statement, the committee described the collapse as “sad news” but stressed that there were no injuries or fatalities. According to the SCRPS, the affected block had long been identified as structurally weak and was already marked for demolition as part of a broader plan to upgrade facilities at Odokekere High School.

The committee explained that the building was to be pulled down to make way for a larger, more modern classroom complex designed to cope with the school’s rapidly growing student population. The new structure, officials said, is intended to be a “befitting classroom edifice” that reflects the state’s push to modernise public education infrastructure.

A team from the SCRPS is scheduled to visit the school for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage and to review the existing redevelopment plans. The visit is expected to help the government “work out modalities” for immediate construction of what has been described as an “ultra-modern classroom block” capable of accommodating the school’s huge enrolment.

The SCRPS, which signed off on the official statement, reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to providing safe, functional and modern learning environments across its public school system. The committee, set up to oversee the rehabilitation and upgrade of public schools, has been involved in projects ranging from classroom construction and roof replacement to provision of furniture, toilets and perimeter fencing.

Education advocates say the Odokekere incident underscores both the scale of the state’s infrastructure challenge and the importance of proactive maintenance. Many public schools in Lagos were built decades ago, and while some have benefited from recent upgrades, others still operate in buildings that have suffered from years of wear, overcrowding and inadequate repairs.

In Ikorodu, one of Lagos’ fastest-growing districts, population growth has placed additional pressure on existing schools. Classrooms designed for a few dozen students often host far more, and temporary structures are sometimes used to cope with demand. The government’s plan to replace the collapsed bungalow with a larger, purpose-built block is seen as part of a broader attempt to catch up with this demographic reality.