By Hannah Tedunjaye
For many children in Ijora Badia, the biggest obstacle to getting an education this week has not been a lack of books or teachers it has been floodwater.
A visit to Ajeromi Nursery and Primary School, under Apapa Local Government, revealed an alarming scene. The only access road to the school has been submerged by stagnant floodwater, while a blocked drainage canal has left surrounding streets and parts of the school premises underwater. The flooding has forced many pupils and teachers to stay at home, bringing learning activities to a near standstill.
School Manager Salaudeen Adekola described the situation as the worst he has witnessed in his three years at the school.
“I have never experienced this kind of flood before,” he said. “Since Monday, it has been extremely difficult to access the school. Most of the pupils and teachers have not been coming because the environment is unsafe. I told them to remain at home because I cannot allow anyone to risk their lives just to get to school.”
According to Adekola, the problem extends beyond the recent heavy rainfall. He explained that construction work behind the school, which began earlier this year, has worsened the flooding by redirecting water into the school environment.
“Even before the heavy rainfall, water had already begun accumulating within the school compound due to ongoing construction work behind the school. The subsequent downpour only worsened the flooding, leaving the premises largely inaccessible.”
He added that despite repeated complaints, including official letters, videos, and reports sent to education authorities and the local government, little has been done to address the problem.
“We have written several letters and reported the situation many times because access to this school is very important. Unfortunately, nothing has been done,” he lamented.
Residents living around the school have also borne the brunt of the flooding. Many have been forced to remain outside their homes after floodwater entered or surrounded their compounds, while traders say business activities have been severely disrupted.
One of the affected residents, Mrs. Ronke Babalola, said the flooding has become a recurring nightmare for the community, particularly during the rainy season.
“This is how it has always been whenever it is the rainy season. We have been living with this problem for years, and the government has not done anything about it. The blocked canal is making the flooding worse, making it difficult for children to get to school and preventing customers from coming to patronise our businesses,” she said.”
Babalola added that many families now spend hours outside their homes waiting for floodwaters to recede, while business owners continue to record losses because customers cannot access the area.
Parents have also expressed concerns about exposing their children to dirty floodwater, citing the risk of waterborne diseases and accidents. As a result, many pupils have remained at home, missing valuable classroom learning.
Community members are now calling on the Lagos State Government, Apapa Local Government, and other relevant agencies to urgently clear the blocked drainage system, improve flood control measures, and restore safe access to the school.
For the children of Ajeromi Nursery and Primary School, education has become a journey interrupted by floodwater. Until lasting solutions are provided, every heavy rainfall threatens not only classrooms but also the future of hundreds of young learners whose right to education depends on a safe path to school.
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