The Lagos State Government says it has commenced an investigation into a video circulating on social media showing some teenagers smoking in a hostel.

The government said the group of secondary students were “engaging in acts of smoking and consumption of alcohol within what appears to be a dormitory setting.”

In the video seen by our correspondent, the teenagers were seen passing what looks like a cigarette to one another as they smoked the contents.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said in a Wednesday statement that “the state government views this incident with the utmost seriousness, as it goes against the core values and behavioural standards expected within the educational system of Lagos State.”

“We wish to inform the public that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, via the relevant agency – Office of Education Quality Assurance – is fully aware of the content of the video and has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter. Our monitoring and investigation team has been dispatched to verify the authenticity of the video, confirm the identities of those involved, and determine the level of institutional oversight.

“Preliminary engagements have also begun with the school authorities to gather all relevant facts, and any school found culpable will face appropriate sanctions in line with the Lagos State education policies and regulations,” the commissioner stated.

Alli-Balogun said the safety, well-being, and moral values of all students remained paramount to the Lagos State Government and “we are committed to ensuring that all learning environments are safe, disciplined, and conducive to the academic and moral growth of every learner.”