Structural Failure in Yobe: One Dead, Several Injured in School Collapse

A devastating incident struck Government Girls Science and Technical College in Potiskum, Yobe State, when a classroom corridor collapsed, leaving one student dead and four others injured. The collapse, which occurred during school hours, caused chaos as students and teachers scrambled to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.

Emergency services responded swiftly, rushing the injured students to Specialist Hospital Potiskum, where they received medical treatment. Government officials, including the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education and the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Science and Technical Education Board, visited the site and hospital, vowing a full investigation into the cause of the collapse.

While the exact cause remains under investigation, preliminary reports point to poor maintenance, structural deficiencies, or the use of substandard materials. The affected block, reportedly not part of recent government renovation efforts, raises concerns about the state of aging school infrastructure across the country.

Building collapses in Nigerian schools are not new. Experts have long warned about poor construction practices, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and neglected maintenance, all of which contribute to tragedies like this one. Similar incidents, including the 2024 collapse of a two-story school in Jos, which claimed 22 lives, highlight the urgency of addressing these issues.

This tragedy underscores the critical need for stricter building codes, regular structural inspections, and the enforcement of quality construction standards in educational institutions. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) have begun initiatives to monitor school construction quality, but more must be done to prevent future disasters.

Investing in safer school buildings, ensuring routine structural audits, and holding contractors accountable are crucial steps toward preventing another avoidable tragedy.