Tragedy Strikes: School Building Collapse in Nigeria

Tragedy Strikes as School Building Collapses in Nigeria

On a tragic Friday in central Nigeria, a devastating incident unfolded as a school building collapsed while students were attending classes, resulting in several casualties, as reported by the country’s emergency services.

Footage aired on Nigerian television depicted the harrowing scene of rescue workers, ambulances, and bystanders frantically trying to sift through the rubble of Saint’s Academy in Jos. The two-story building appeared to have been torn in half, with one section still standing and the other, including the large corrugated iron roof, collapsed on the ground.

The recent heavy rains that lashed Jos have raised concerns, with more thunderstorms and downpours anticipated in the upcoming week. A Facebook post affiliated with the school confirmed the collapse, stating that “many of our students” were trapped inside, with the exact number of casualties yet to be determined.

Rescue Efforts and Casualties

Eugene Nyelon, an official from the National Emergency Management Agency, disclosed that injured and deceased students had been transported to three nearby hospitals. The exact death toll was not provided, and it remained unclear if teachers or other adults were also trapped in the debris, as the rescue operation was still in progress.

Building Collapse Crisis in Nigeria

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, grapples with a concerning frequency of building collapses, acknowledged by Farouk Salim, the director general of the public regulatory agency. Over the past four decades, more than 220 buildings have collapsed, with Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, bearing the brunt of such incidents.

Recent reports indicate that the number of building collapses could be even higher, with over 600 incidents recorded in the last 40 years, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild. This year alone, by July 7, 22 buildings had already collapsed, underscoring the urgent need for improved construction practices and regulations in the country.

Experts attribute the collapses to the use of substandard building materials, inadequate soil testing during construction, and poor supervision and maintenance. These factors, exacerbated by harsh weather conditions, further heighten the risk of building failures, leading to tragic events like the school building collapse in Jos.

Credit: Pius Adeleye contributed reporting from Ibadan, Nigeria.