The death of 11-year-old David Oluwanifemi Elijah has thrown his family into deep mourning and sparked fresh concerns over safety standards in public schools in Lagos State.
David, a Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2) student of Millennium Community Junior Grammar School, Kareem Laka, Egbeda, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, reportedly fell from the window of his second-floor classroom during break time on December 5, 2025.
According to his father, Mr. Elijah, the boy was allegedly pushed by a classmate during what was believed to be a playful scuffle. He landed awkwardly and sustained severe injuries.
David was initially rushed to Crystal Hospital in Egbeda before being referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, after doctors said his condition was beyond their capacity.
Speaking amid tears, Mr. Elijah said doctors at LASUTH conducted several examinations and later informed him that his son required two urgent surgeries estimated at ₦5 million. He claimed he was told that due to an ongoing doctors’ strike, only a private hospital could carry out the procedures.
“I bore all initial medical expenses. The school paid ₦20,000 for the hospital card and later provided about ₦200,000 to assist. But it was far from enough,” he said.
Mr. Elijah stated that he contacted Education District I and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, who reportedly forwarded an appeal letter to the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
In addition, he said his church, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), wrote a formal appeal dated December 17, 2025, to Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, with copies sent to other top government officials. The letters were acknowledged on December 19, 2025, according to documents seen by our correspondent.
Despite the appeals, Mr. Elijah alleged that no financial assistance came from the government between December 5 and December 21, while his son remained hospitalised at LASUTH.
“With no support and mounting bills, I withdrew him to seek alternative treatment at an orthopaedic facility after exhausting my savings,” he said.
David eventually died on January 19, 2026.
While confirming that the school contributed funds toward the boy’s treatment, the principal, Mr. Abolaji, declined to comment extensively, citing lack of authorisation from Education District I.
Dr. Oyetola, however, maintained that she fulfilled her responsibility by forwarding the appeal to the Ministry of Education. She also claimed that ₦400,000 was spent on the boy’s treatment — a figure disputed by the bereaved father, who insisted he did not receive such an amount.
The Permanent Secretary further faulted Mr. Elijah for withdrawing his son from LASUTH without informing her office. But the father defended his action, stating that doctors had emphasised the urgency of the surgeries and insisted on payment before proceeding.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Kayode Sutton, said he was unaware of the case but promised to seek clarification. As of press time, no official response had been received.
The incident has reignited debate over safety measures in Lagos public secondary schools, particularly in multi-storey “Millennium Schools” constructed during the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State in 2003.
Education stakeholders have questioned whether adequate protective features, such as burglary-proof bars on upper-floor windows, are in place, and whether sufficient supervision exists during break periods.
A Lagos-based educationist, Mr. Arowolo Akinsola, argued that younger students should ideally occupy ground-floor classrooms and that stricter safety regulations should guide students’ movement within school premises.
The Parents Forum (PF), Alimosho Zone, also waded into the matter. Its chairman, Mr. Lukman Adebayo, said the Forum constituted an elders’ committee led by Hon. Ogundimu J.A. (JP) to review the incident and formally appeal to the authorities.
According to Adebayo, the committee initially wrote to the Ministry of Education in Alausa but was directed to channel the letter through Education District I.
Hon. Ogundimu confirmed that he was summoned by the Permanent Secretary over the appeal letter. He also denied allegations that the bereaved father requested compensation, insisting that Mr. Elijah only sought urgent financial intervention to save his son’s life.
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