CIVIC ADVOCACY GROUPS DEMAND IMMEDIATE DEMOLITION OF DEFECTIVE SMART GREEN SCHOOL STRUCTURES ACROSS ENUGU STATE

Anger and safety concerns have escalated across Enugu State as a civil advocacy coalition and concerned citizens issued an uncompromising ultimatum to the state government, demanding the immediate sealing and demolition of structural units under the multi-billion naira Smart Green School initiative. The Coalition for Safe Education and Good Governance declared the situation a state-wide public safety emergency, citing corrupt contracting practices, compromised engineering standards, and an urgent need to protect young schoolchildren from potential structural collapses.

​According to statement issued by the advocacy group, the flagship educational project—budgeted at over ₦266 billion—has failed to deliver functional technological infrastructure in several communities. Investigations cited by the coalition claim that despite massive financial disbursements, numerous sites remain empty building shells without digital gadgets, computer hardware, grid power connections, or motorable access roads. Instead of state-of-the-art digital learning centers, several newly erected facilities have suffered severe structural failures long before accommodating students.

​The coalition highlighted specific engineering disasters across several local government areas:

​The Aku Cluster in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area has seen widespread anxiety over visible foundation cracks and compromised structural integrity at sites in Amabokwu Aku, Ohemuje Aku, and Ugwunani Aku. In Iheaka, local observers reported the total structural failure of a multi-million naira facility following mild weather conditions. Similar incidents were recorded in Umunko and Ishiagu Amagunze within Nkanu East LGA, where routine seasonal rainstorms violently ripped off entire roof assemblies and collapsed walls due to inferior building materials and rushed workmanship. In Isi-Uzo LGA, the state government was previously forced to order the total demolition of a defective smart school structure in Mbu after it failed engineering integrity tests—an action the coalition characterizes as an official admission of widespread contractor quackery.

​The group further criticized the state government for funneling hundreds of billions into new facades while historic legacy schools across Enugu State continue to deteriorate without basic facilities. Citing instances like Airport Primary School in Emene, community members noted that local children are forced to learn in dilapidated environments lacking basic security, functional toilets, or intact roofing, placing an unfair financial burden on headteachers who repair classrooms out of pocket.

​Demanding immediate executive intervention, the Coalition for Safe Education and Good Governance called on the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to immediately deploy independent structural engineers to conduct comprehensive stress tests across all 260 ward sites. The group insisted that every compromised structure must be leveled immediately to guarantee that no child's life is put at risk in the name of political expediency.