By Chidmma Okapa l May 9, 2026
Residents of an oil-producing community in Delta State have appealed to government authorities for urgent intervention after the only public school serving the area reportedly deteriorated into a dangerous and abandoned structure.
The school, which serves children in the rural riverine community, has allegedly been left in severe disrepair for years despite repeated appeals to state and local government officials. Community members say the neglected condition of the building now threatens the education and safety of pupils attending the facility.
Images circulating online showed collapsed sections of the school structure, damaged roofing, cracked walls, and classrooms lacking basic learning materials. Residents described the situation as heartbreaking, particularly given the community’s contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth.
According to community members, several pupils are now forced to study under unsafe conditions while others reportedly miss classes during heavy rainfall because parts of the building can no longer provide shelter. Parents and local leaders warned that continued neglect could expose children to serious injuries if urgent repairs are not carried out.
Residents also accused successive administrations in Delta State of abandoning the community despite promises to improve education and infrastructure in oil-producing regions. They argued that the continued neglect reflects the wider marginalization faced by many rural communities contributing significantly to the nation’s petroleum industry.
Community leaders are now calling on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other intervention agencies to urgently renovate the school and provide modern educational facilities for children in the area.
The situation has renewed public criticism over the state of public education infrastructure in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in underserved rural and riverine communities where schools often suffer from inadequate funding, teacher shortages, and poor maintenance despite years of government budget allocations for education.