Students, traders, and visitors at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos may be stepping into danger daily as activities continue under the shadow of a deteriorating building once used as a female hostel.
The two-storey structure, known as the Bakasi hostel, sustained extensive damage during a fire in 2016 that left it without a roof and with prominent structural weaknesses.
Visible cracks, invasive weeds, and even small trees have since taken root on its walls and floors, creating a stark picture of neglect and decay.
Despite its troubling condition, this building continues to serve as an informal social hub.
Hundreds of students gather daily under its exposed deck to purchase food and supplies, take breaks, and hold small gatherings.
Its walls echo the footsteps of those who, perhaps unknowingly, move about under the constant risk posed by its weakening structure.
As one YABATECH student commented, “We know it’s old and damaged, but we don’t have many alternatives. It’s been part of campus life.”
For some students and staff, however, this sentiment masks an underlying fear.
The risk of a sudden collapse looms, and it could turn the familiar meeting spot into a tragic scene.
Many are concerned, but efforts to address the matter appear to be stalled, leaving students and other campus occupants to face the uncertainty daily.
Adekunle Adams, the school’s spokesperson, shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by the institution in rehabilitating the building.
While emphasizing the institution’s commitment to safety, he admitted that securing the required resources and expertise has posed challenges.
“You cannot know the state of the building if you are not a professional,” Adams stated in a recent interview.
“All I know is that the building will not be accommodated if it’s not in a good condition.
A fire incident happened there, and we have been trying to put it into shape, but we are yet to get it done.”
The comment underscores a frustrating truth about the Bakasi hostel: the institution is aware of the structural threats, yet limited funding and bureaucratic delays have hindered timely repairs.
An unnamed staff member supported this explanation, describing how the building, which was badly damaged by fire nearly eight years ago, remains unrepaired due to an apparent delay in government funding.
The staff member further recalled the day of the fire, stating that several students lost important documents in the blaze.
The memory of the fire adds another layer of anxiety for those who still occupy the building’s lower levels.
Despite awareness of the dangers, the hostel’s state serves as a reminder of how challenging it can be to obtain quick solutions in the face of financial constraints and bureaucratic delays.
Addressing such a significant safety concern, however, demands more than just waiting for funding.
Stakeholders, including students, staff, and campus administration, are increasingly calling for immediate, temporary solutions, such as sealing off the area or relocating traders and students until a permanent repair is carried out.
Ademuyiwa Adu, spokesperson for the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), reassured the public that the agency is aware of the problem and will take appropriate action to assess and address the risks posed by the structure.
Adu pledged that an investigation would be conducted to determine the building’s stability and that appropriate measures would be recommended based on their findings.
LASBCA’s involvement could be pivotal, as the agency’s mandate includes inspecting and ensuring the safety of buildings within Lagos State.
However, while the agency’s intervention is welcome, concerns remain about the pace and effectiveness of such actions.
As the Bakasi hostel continues to house daily activities despite evident hazards, it is apparent that YABATECH faces a dilemma with complex safety, financial, and administrative layers.
For students, there is a need for awareness of the risks they may unknowingly accept in using the space daily.
The YABATECH administration, meanwhile, faces the challenging task of balancing limited resources against a pressing need for building repairs.
In the end, the story of Bakasi hostel reflects a wider reality faced by many institutions across Nigeria and other developing regions, where aging infrastructure and limited funds often place student and public safety at risk.
Immediate action is required to avert potential disaster, and that may mean seeking interim solutions until funding and repairs can be secured.
With hundreds of students still frequenting the hostel area every day, the urgency of addressing Bakasi’s structural risks cannot be overstated.
As the Lagos State Building Control Agency investigates, the hope remains that preventive action will be prioritized to safeguard lives, avoid tragedy, and ensure that YABATECH’s legacy is one of learning, not loss.
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