Onwuama, Mercy. A.C.*, Owolabi, Habeeb L.^**,

Ajibola, Gbenga S.^* and Owolewa, Musiliu^*

^*Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education,

University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

^**Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education,

Lagos State University of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Abstract

School environments are expected to offer safety and promote the well-being of students. However, increasing reports of health-related emergencies in Nigerian schools such as student collapses, seizures, injuries and sudden deaths have raised concerns about institutional preparedness. This study assessed the level of emergency preparedness in selected public secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from 54 teaching and non-teaching staff across six schools in Makoko, Iwaya, Mushin, and Idi-Araba. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha r = 0.75) was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and availability of emergency response facilities. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the data. Findings revealed that while 88.9% of respondents were aware of common school emergencies, primarily through social media (85.2%), only 9.3% had received formal training in first aid or emergency response. Participation in safety drills was low, with 77.8% of respondents having never engaged in such exercises. Furthermore, 81.5% of the schools lacked functional sickbays, none had oxygen cylinders, and over half of the first aid boxes were poorly equipped. Despite these gaps, a majority of staff expressed willingness to participate in future emergency training programmes. The study concludes that although awareness of emergencies is high, actual preparedness remains critically low. The lack of equipment, training, and policy implementation pose a significant risk to student safety. The study recommends mandatory training for all school personnel, provision of emergency tools, and the enforcement of Nigeria’s National School Health Policy by the School health professionals Association of Nigeria (SHEPAN).