The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a second-year medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo, who reportedly died by suicide shortly after the release of his examination results.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, identifying the deceased as a Part 2 student of the Faculty of Dentistry with matriculation number DEN/2021/023.
According to Olarewaju, the results released on Wednesday indicated that Ibitayo would have to repeat Part 2 for a second time. “The student, whose father is a medical doctor, reportedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, urging parents and guardians to instill resilience in their wards and help them understand that setbacks are not the end of life’s journey. He advised students to see failure as a redirection towards future success and prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved family and the university community.
The Obafemi Awolowo University Dental Students’ Association (IFUDSA) also confirmed the incident, describing it as a devastating loss. In a statement signed by its president, Adebayo Idris, the association said:
“This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face. We urge all students to seek help, support each other, and remember that mental health is as important as physical health.”
The association further reaffirmed its commitment to improving student welfare and mental health support.
The incident has once again brought to the fore concerns over academic pressure and mental health among students in Nigeria’s higher institutions.
