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The death of a two-year-old pupil at a private school in Rivers State has triggered widespread concern over child safety and accountability within Nigeria’s education system.
Winnie Akakue died on March 17, 2026, at Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, in Eligbolo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Ejes Gist News reports that the incident has drawn scrutiny from the public, with the family raising serious allegations about how the case has been handled.
The child’s father, Dr. Iasuaka Akakue, said the school informed them that Winnie had been asleep in her classroom when a bookshelf allegedly fell on her. He added that a verbal briefing from a pathologist indicated the child sustained a fractured skull.
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He questioned the sequence of events, stating that the school took the child to two medical facilities before notifying the family. At the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, doctors reportedly confirmed she was brought in dead.
Dr. Akakue also alleged that the scene of the incident was altered before any independent assessment, claiming the bookshelf was moved and the area cleaned. He further accused certain individuals of attempting to pressure the family into a swift burial and an out-of-court settlement.
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He disputed police claims that the family failed to request the autopsy report, insisting that authorities had earlier assured them they would be contacted once it was ready. According to him, follow-up efforts did not yield clear responses, even after confirmation that the report had been received.
Winnie’s mother, Mrs. Chinyere Akakue, described receiving conflicting information from the school. She said she was initially told her daughter was alive but arrived to find her unresponsive. She recounted that the child was lying unattended when she got there, and the situation became clear only after she was taken aside by staff.
She described the emotional toll on the family, noting that Winnie’s siblings were initially told she was at home, only to later learn of her death.
Management of Wisdom Gate International School opens up
The school’s management, in a statement, described the incident as tragic and extended condolences to the family. It said immediate steps were taken to provide medical attention and that the matter was promptly reported to authorities. The school maintained that it has cooperated fully with investigators and has not withheld information, adding that internal safety reviews are ongoing.
The Rivers State Ministry of Education ordered the immediate closure of the school after conducting a preliminary review. Authorities stated that the institution would remain shut pending the outcome of investigations.
The Commissioner for Education, Peters Nwagor, said the government would enforce safety and quality standards across all schools, while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified claims.
Legal practitioner and activist Chetam Nwala called for a thorough and transparent investigation, including regulatory action if negligence is established.
The school’s proprietress, Toyon Obikoya, appealed for a reconsideration of the closure, citing its impact on pupils, parents and staff. Some parents also expressed concern over the disruption to academic activities and the difficulty of securing alternatives.
Authorities said investigations remain ongoing, with further action expected to depend on findings from medical and forensic reports.
