Lagos School Building Collapse: Mother's Emotional Testimony as Twins Escape Tragedy
A Nigerian mother has shared an emotional and heartfelt testimony about how her twin children narrowly escaped death during the collapse of a school building in the Ogba area of Lagos. The incident, which occurred on Monday, March 9, 2026, saw a four-storey structure housing Yemco Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College give way, but thanks to swift evacuation efforts, no fatalities were reported.
Details of the Collapse and Evacuation
The building, located at 11 Adu Street behind County Hospital in Ogba, showed warning signs before its collapse. Residents and staff reported hearing loud rumbling sounds and noticing visible cracks on the walls. Concerned individuals quickly raised the alarm, instructing teachers and officials to evacuate students and other occupants immediately. The structure collapsed approximately three minutes after the final occupants had been rushed out, underscoring the critical timing of the evacuation.
Although there were no deaths, some students sustained minor injuries during the panic and stampede that followed the emergency evacuation. These injured students are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, with authorities monitoring their recovery.
Mother's Harrowing Account of the Escape
During a church testimony, the mother recounted how her twin children were inside their classroom when the evacuation began. Initially unaware of the danger outside, one of the twins noticed that the school compound had suddenly become empty. Peering through a window, they saw people gathered outside, prompting them to quickly run out of the building to join their colleagues.
"It was not even up to two minutes when the school collapsed," the mother said, emphasizing the narrow margin of escape. She expressed profound gratitude to God for sparing her children, speaking partly in Yoruba to convey her relief: "Olorun o se je ki ifi beji pa mi l'odun ayemi," meaning, "God did not allow me to lose my twins in my lifetime."
Student Perspectives on the Incident
Students from Yemco Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College have also shared their experiences of the panic that ensued. Emmanuel, one of the students, described hearing an unusual sound moments before the structure fell. Another student, 14-year-old Blessing, recalled how fear spread quickly among her peers as visibility dropped due to dust from the collapsing building.
This incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and prompt action in preventing tragedies. It also raises concerns about building safety standards in Lagos, prompting calls for stricter inspections and regulations to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
