11-Year-Old Lagos Student Dies After Being Allegedly Pushed from School Building by Classmate
“What began as a normal school day in Lagos ended in tragedy that has left a family shattered and sparked urgent questions about student safety, emergency response, and government accountability in Nigeria’s public school system. Eleven-year-old David Oluwanifemi Elijah walked into school on December 5, 2025 — but never returned home alive.”
The tragic death of 11-year-old David Oluwanifemi Elijah has thrown his family into profound grief while igniting controversy over alleged negligence, conflicting official claims, and the adequacy of emergency support within Lagos State’s public education system.
David, a Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2) student at Millennium Community Junior Grammar School in Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government Area, reportedly fell from the window of his second-floor classroom during break time on December 5, 2025.
According to reports by The Nation, the incident allegedly occurred after he was pushed by a classmate. However, it remains unclear whether the act was intentional or happened during what may have been a playful exchange.
RUSHED TO HOSPITAL, ₦5 MILLION SURGERY ESTIMATE
Following the fall, David sustained severe injuries and was initially taken to Crystal Hospital in Egbeda before being referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, after doctors declared his case beyond their facility’s capacity.
His father, Mr. Elijah, disclosed that medical examinations showed his son required two urgent surgeries estimated at approximately ₦5 million. However, an ongoing doctors’ strike reportedly complicated access to timely treatment at LASUTH, making transfer to a standard private hospital the only viable option.
“The doctors told us the surgeries were urgent and life-saving,” Mr. Elijah recounted.
“WE RECEIVED NO SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT” — FATHER
According to Mr. Elijah, the school principal initially paid ₦20,000 for hospital registration and later contributed about ₦200,000 toward medical expenses.
Seeking further assistance, he approached Education District 1 and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, who allegedly forwarded an appeal to the Ministry of Education.
David’s church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), also reportedly wrote to Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other senior state officials requesting urgent intervention.
Despite these appeals, Mr. Elijah claimed that no substantial government financial support was received during the 16 days his son remained hospitalised.
“With the bills mounting daily and no intervention coming, I exhausted my savings,” he said.
Faced with financial exhaustion, he withdrew David from LASUTH to seek alternative care. Tragically, the boy died on January 19, 2026.
CONFLICTING FINANCIAL CLAIMS SPARK CONTROVERSY
The case has since generated public debate following discrepancies in official statements.
While the school confirmed spending approximately ₦200,000 on David’s treatment, the Permanent Secretary reportedly stated that ₦400,000 had been expended — a claim Mr. Elijah disputed.
She also questioned why the father removed the child from LASUTH without formally notifying her office.
Further tension arose after the Permanent Secretary allegedly accused Mr. Elijah of seeking financial compensation following his son’s death — an allegation he firmly denied.
Hon. Ogundimu J.A., who accompanied Mr. Elijah to the Permanent Secretary’s office as part of a Parents Forum delegation, corroborated the father’s account, stating that no compensation request was made.
“He was only asking for urgent financial support for life-saving surgeries,” Hon. Ogundimu reportedly clarified.
MINISTRY RESPONSE AWAITED
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Education said he was unaware of any formal correspondence regarding the matter but pledged to seek clarification.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued.
Growing Public Concern Over School Safety
David’s death has intensified public concerns over:
Student safety measures in Lagos public schools
Supervision during break periods
Emergency response protocols
Government medical intervention systems for students
Welfare support for families facing medical crises.
Meanwhile, for many observers, the case raises broader questions about accountability, crisis response efficiency, and the safety infrastructure within Nigeria’s public education sector.
