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.

Government sources familiar with the school’s rehabilitation plan said Odokekere High School is one of several public schools in Lagos earmarked for phased redevelopment. Many of these schools, particularly in densely populated districts like Ikorodu, have struggled with overcrowded classrooms and ageing buildings that no longer meet safety or capacity standards.

Following the collapse, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed that all affected pupils be immediately relocated to nearby public schools so that teaching and learning would not be disrupted. Education authorities have been tasked with mapping out alternative schools within reasonable distance of Odokekere and arranging transportation where necessary.

Officials say the relocation is a temporary measure to ensure continuity of academic activities while the government moves to clear the collapsed structure and commence construction of a new block. The state has not yet disclosed the exact number of students to be moved, but Odokekere High School is known to serve a large catchment area, drawing pupils from several communities in Ikorodu.

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.

Parents in the area, while relieved that no child was hurt, have expressed anxiety about the safety of other school buildings and the logistics of relocating their children. Some have called for transparent inspections of all blocks within Odokekere High School and regular public updates on the progress of reconstruction.

Teachers and school administrators are also expected to play a key role in the transition period. Beyond managing the emotional impact on students who witnessed or heard about the collapse, they will have to adapt to new teaching schedules and possibly split-site arrangements as pupils are distributed among neighbouring schools.

For the state government, the incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of its school rehabilitation programme. Officials have repeatedly highlighted investments in classroom construction, model colleges and technology-enabled learning, but critics argue that more systematic audits of old structures are needed to prevent sudden failures.

Urban planners and safety experts note that Lagos, with its coastal climate and heavy rains, faces particular challenges in maintaining older buildings. Poor drainage, flooding and informal modifications to school structures can accelerate deterioration if not properly monitored.

In its statement, the SCRPS sought to reassure the public that the Odokekere collapse would not derail the academic calendar. By ordering immediate relocation and promising fast-tracked construction of a new block, the government is positioning the incident as a catalyst to speed up long-planned upgrades rather than a setback.