A four-storey building on Adu Street in the Aguda area of Ogba, Lagos, which housed both residents and pupils of Yemco Daycare Nursery, Primary School, and a comprehensive college, collapsed on Monday, raising urgent safety concerns and prompting questions about regulatory oversight.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) confirmed the incident through a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, posted on the agency’s official Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

The preliminary reports indicate that the building functioned in dual capacities, with sections serving as residential apartments while other areas operated as a private school.

However, no casualties were recorded as students, staff, and residents reportedly evacuated the building prior to the collapse.

In response to the incident, LASBCA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, quickly visited the site to assess the situation and enforce public safety measures.

Residents of nearby buildings were advised to temporarily vacate their homes while technical assessments were carried out on surrounding structures to ensure structural stability.

Preliminary observations by LASBCA suggested that some form of construction or renovation activity had been ongoing on the property prior to the collapse. The agency has confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the building failure.

The incident has triggered public concern and scrutiny of LASBCA’s regulatory oversight. Observers and residents are questioning how the Lagos State building authorities permitted a single structure to function simultaneously as a residential facility and an educational institution, given the potential risks to both pupils and occupants.

The collapse has highlighted broader safety issues surrounding mixed-use buildings in Lagos, particularly those combining residential and institutional functions without clear regulatory checks.

In response, Ademuyiwa emphasised the importance of following proper regulatory processes and maintaining ongoing communication with building control authorities when conducting construction, renovation, or structural modification works.

He assured the public that LASBCA would provide updates as investigations progressed and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with relevant authorities.

The Ogba collapse serves as a cautionary reminder of the potential hazards of mixed-use buildings and underscores the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement by state authorities to safeguard occupants and prevent structural failures.