By Ghazali Ibrahim
A 200 level medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University has reportedly commits suicide after friends told him about his failed medical exam.
The death, according to reports, shows that Ibitayo, son of a medical doctor, died after allegedly injecting himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, upon hearing that he had failed his examinations.
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has confirmed the death of a Part Two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo, who allegedly took his own life after being misled about his examination results.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the Faculty of Dentistry student, with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, had been repeating Part Two and was reportedly required to repeat the class again after the latest results were released on Wednesday.
“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” the statement read.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging parents and guardians to help young people understand that setbacks are a normal part of life.
“Temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and should not be seen as the end. Students must be encouraged to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success,” Bamire said.
He called on students to take advantage of the institution’s counselling services and pledged the university’s continued support for mental health initiatives on campus.
The President of the Dentistry Students’ Association, Adebayo Idris, also confirmed the incident, describing it as “a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face” and urging peers to support one another and seek professional help when needed.
However, a source familiar with the matter told DAILY POST that Ibitayo’s results were actually good, contrary to what he had been told.
“It is shocking because his results were good. His friend just told him otherwise,” the source alleged, suggesting that misinformation may have contributed to the student’s tragic decision.
The incident comes as mental health advocates renew calls for stronger emotional support structures for Nigerian students, particularly those facing academic and personal pressures.
