 |
OAU Confirms Death of Medical Student Who Allegedly Took Own Life After Repeated Exam Failure |
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the tragic death of Ajibola Ibitayo, a Part Two medical student in the Faculty of Dentistry, who reportedly committed suicide after failing his examinations for the second consecutive time.
In an official statement released on Thursday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, it was disclosed that the deceased, with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, received his examination results on Wednesday. The results indicated that he would need to repeat Part Two for another academic year — a setback he had already faced in the previous session.
“The entire Obafemi Awolowo University community has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” Olarewaju said.
“The student, whose father is a medical doctor, reportedly administered a lethal injection to himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after receiving the news.”
Reports indicate that prior to the incident, there had been no public signs of distress, though the academic pressure of medical school has long been recognised as a significant mental health challenge among students in Nigeria.
Reacting to the incident, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow and urged parents, guardians, and educators to encourage students to view temporary setbacks as stepping stones rather than life-ending failures.
“Setbacks in life are not the end,” Prof. Bamire stressed. “Students must understand that failure can be an opportunity to re-strategise for future success. We must also continue to provide emotional support for young people navigating academic and personal challenges.”
The Vice-Chancellor prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved family, the Faculty of Dentistry, the College of Health Sciences, and the entire university community.
For more details on university news and student affairs in Nigeria, visit the OAU official website or follow the latest updates on Nigerian higher education.
