The Lagos State Government has shut down Smiley Kids Montessori School, located in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, after a tragic incident in which a two-year-old girl, Rapheala Ogbodo, drowned in the school’s swimming pool. The incident happened on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
In an official statement released through the Lagos State Government’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, the closure of the school was confirmed.
Officials from the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, under the Ministry of Education, have already visited the school to begin a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The statement noted that the school has been sealed off to ensure a comprehensive investigation and to identify any lapses that may have contributed to the unfortunate accident.
The statement read, “The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo.
“The officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education have visited the scene of the accident to carry out a preliminary investigation and ascertain the root cause of the unfortunate incident.
“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the state government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences.
“The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stated that all school owners and caregivers must comply with safety regulations to prevent accidents in the State.
“Mojola further stated that further information would be made available upon completion of investigations into the accident.”
